'Lean in, Don't Step Back' - the views, experiences and expectations of people with severe mental illness, and their carers, on palliative and end of life care

Research which concerns the experiences and expectations of people with mental illnesses and terminal conditions is extremely limited both in the UK and internationally. What is known is that people with mental ill health experience higher rates of many physical health issues, later diagnosis and poorer prognosis than the general population (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2013). People with mental illness experience many barriers when trying to access palliative and end of life care services and are poorly supported following terminal diagnosis by mental health services. The aim of this research was to conduct interviews with patients with histories of mental illness and terminal physical conditions, and their carers, to better understand their experiences and expectations of palliative and end of life care, and how more effective support and care could be provided by palliative, end of life, and mental health care services.