This month, our research teams from India and Pakistan came together to mark the conclusion of the PIECEs project—a four-year research initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Focused on enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with severe mental illnesses in India and Pakistan, the project has used innovative, community-based methods to foster resilience and improve mental health care delivery in these regions.
PIECEs week was a celebration of the collaborative work between research teams from the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in India and Interactive Research & Development (IRD) in Pakistan. Their visit to London brought together experts to discuss findings from PIECEs and to reflect on how arts-based and other participatory approaches have bridged gaps in mental health care. The three-day visit included planning new research grants and brainstorming ideas for future projects. The teams also developed detailed dissemination strategies to ensure that the findings from PIECEs reach a broad audience, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and community members.
The teams also hosted a public event to showcase some of the most impactful elements of the PIECEs project. Attendees had the opportunity to learn how the use of storytelling through Theatre of the Oppressed and other participatory methods has enabled individuals with severe mental illness to express their experiences and challenges openly. This unique approach has been instrumental in improving mental health awareness in communities while also supporting system-level changes in India and Pakistan.
As the PIECEs project wraps up, the focus now turns to the future, with plans for ongoing research and continued partnerships across borders. This visit was a testament to the power of international collaboration in advancing mental health care, and we look forward to building on the project’s legacy in the years to come.
Take a look at some highlights from PIECEs Week captured below:
PIECEs teams from India, Pakistan and the UK
PIECEs public event at Clark Kenedy Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary University of London
Photovoice exhibition by Kasthuri Divya
A glimpse of Theatre of the Oppressed Performance at PIECEs public event
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