The COVID-19 crisis and resulting disruptions have adversely affected people’s mental health. Few studies have focused on service adaptations to ensure care, and gathering evidence on how organisations may be responding to these challenges has become crucial.

This article presents findings from an exploratory study by LEAD and the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) India to understand the impact of the pandemic on services provided by SCARF. Supported by the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Oxford, the study explores provider perspectives and provides insight into SCARF’s experience in providing mental health services to vulnerable communities in Tamil Nadu during the pandemic.

The study highlights three crucial elements central to ensure continuity of care and quality of service delivery: relationships, responsiveness and resilience. From a service provider perspective, the findings from the study help build a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by health personnel in providing continuity of care in the context of community-based mental health care systems and response pathways for marginalised people with psychosocial disabilities, during crises situations.