CompletedInterventional

Helping people with severe mental illness lower their risk of heart disease through peer support groups

People with severe mental illness, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, sometimes face serious health problems, including a higher risk of heart disease. This study, called PEGASUS, explores a new group programme to help lower this risk. It brings together people with similar experiences to learn about healthy eating, staying active, and setting health goals. Groups are led by healthcare professionals and peer support workers — people who have personal experience with mental health challenges. Taking part could help you feel healthier, more connected, and more confident in managing your wellbeing. The study will check if this programme works well and could make a real difference to people's lives.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

City, University of London

Enrolment target

Start

01 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2026

Severe mental illness and metabolic syndrome

What is this study about?

Many people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, sadly tend to have poorer physical health and often live shorter lives. A major reason for this is heart disease, and the risk can be even higher for those from certain Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities. The PEGASUS study aims to address this serious issue by testing a new group programme designed to help people in this situation improve their heart health.

The PEGASUS programme combines support and learning in a friendly group setting. It focuses on important health areas like eating well, being physically active, and setting achievable health goals. What makes this programme special is that it's co-led by two types of experts: healthcare professionals, who bring their medical knowledge, and peer support workers, who draw on their own personal experiences with mental health difficulties. This mix offers a unique blend of professional guidance and understanding from someone who has 'been there'.

The main goal of this study is to see if this new group programme can effectively help people with severe mental illness reduce their risk of heart disease. By taking part, you would be helping researchers understand if this type of support can improve health and wellbeing, potentially paving the way for better care for many people in the future.

Key takeaways

A new group programme for people with severe mental illness.
Aims to reduce the risk of heart disease through health and wellbeing support.
Led by healthcare professionals and people with shared mental health experiences.
Involves group sessions, individual support, questionnaires, and health checks.
Could improve physical health, confidence, and social connection.
Funded by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 75 years old.

You should have a diagnosed severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and currently be receiving care from mental health services or your GP for this condition. It's also important that you agree to take part and can understand what the study involves.

Crucially, you would also need to have an increased risk of heart disease. This might be due to things like your waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or blood sugar levels. If you're taking medication for these conditions, your dose should have been stable for at least three months.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 75 years old?
Do you have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder?
Are you currently receiving mental health support?
Do you have an increased risk of heart disease (e.g., higher waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar)?
Are you able to agree to take part in a study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you'll be invited to an initial one-on-one meeting to get you set up. Then, you'll meet with a group of 8 to 12 other people, twice a month for 10 sessions over six months. Each group session lasts about two hours and covers different health and wellbeing topics. You'll also have four individual chats with a peer support worker during the programme to discuss your progress, and a final get-together after all the group sessions have finished.

Throughout the study, you'll be asked to complete some questionnaires and have health checks (like blood pressure or weight measurements) at the start, halfway through, and at the end of the programme. Some participants might also be invited to share their thoughts about the programme in an interview or group discussion. The study is planned to run from August 2025 to September 2026.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several possible benefits. You might see improvements in your physical health, feel more confident in managing your own health, and enjoy feeling more connected to others in the group. There are no major risks involved in this study. However, some people might find it challenging to talk about their health in a group setting. Please be assured that ongoing support will be available for everyone taking part, and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (4)

East London NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
London, England
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Rainham, England
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Birmingham, England
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
City only
London, England

Common questions

What is 'severe mental illness'?

This study focuses on conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, where mental health challenges significantly affect daily life.

What does 'metabolic syndrome' mean?

It's a group of conditions like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels, which together increase your risk of heart disease.

What is a peer support worker?

A peer support worker is someone who has personal experience with mental health difficulties and uses their insights to help others.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major health research funder in the UK.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can decide to leave the study at any point, and you don't need to give a reason for your decision.

How to find out more

Bethan Hatherall

bethan.Hatherall@citystgeorges.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.