Severe mental illnesses (SMI) are chronic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), which typically cause considerable impairment in ability to engage in functional and occupational activities, and affect around 1% of the population, globally. SMI lowers life expectancy by approximately 10-20 years. The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected people’s lives and access to healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, including in Bangladesh & Pakistan. People with SMI are at particularly high risk of being affected, as are poorly resourced mental health services. The IMPASS study therefore investigated the impact of the pandemic on people with SMI, and sought to understand how to support this vulnerable group in such public health emergencies in future.