The CFMHAS runs a number of projects to help improve the physical and mental health of those who suffer from severe mental illness. The SPACES trial is testing a co-produced intervention designed to support people with severe mental illness increase their levels of physical activity whilst the SMILE study is looking at ways to support people with severe mental illness with their oral health. One severe mental illness with a particularly high disease burden is Delusional Infestation (DI), the belief that one is infested with living or non-living organisms causing symptoms, without any scientific evidence for this. Although the illness is relatively rare, affected patients suffer immensely from its symptoms and consequences. Peter Lepping is an international expert on this disease and has been involved in the publication of UK and German guidelines for DI. He regularly publishes research in the field, most recently (2024) the first ever study on the efficacy of various antipsychotics in the treatment of DI.
Severe mental illness
The share of people in Wales who report mental health problems has risen to 28% post COVID, a significant rise from before the pandemic that has affected young people particularly badly. Together with musculoskeletal disorders, mental and substance use disorders are the main causes of years lived with disability in Wales (2018 data). From a total health budget of around £9bn, the NHS in Wales spent 11% of its annual secondary healthcare budget on mental health services (2019-22 data), making mental health the largest single budget category.