Background: People with intellectual disabilities are a particularly vulnerable group, at an increased risk of mortality from COVID-19 and of poor mental health. Psychologists providing mental health support to people with intellectual disabilities report poorer mental wellbeing and higher occupational stress. Moreover, they raise concerns about the ability of people with intellectual disabilities to engage with digital technologies for mental health support in the context of reduced face-to-face psychological provision.Aims: The study aimed to understand psychologists' experiences of working with people with intellectual disabilities during the pandemic.Materials & Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 psychologists from community intellectual disabilities services. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Two superordinate themes emerged. Survive or Thrive highlighted the challenges and successes clinical psychologists experienced while working during the pandemic. 'Left to Their Own Devices' described psychologists' experiences of their clients as forgotten within society. Conclusion:The current study demonstrates psychologists' ability to adapt to extremely challenging circumstances, exposes the vulnerabilities of people with intellectual disabilities and highlights the gaps in service provision.

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The benefits of involving carers who support those with a severe mental illness have long been recognised in improving patients’ outcomes and reducing the cost of care. Despite various mental health standards requiring services to offer support to carers and involve them in patients’ care and treatment, not much guidance is offered on how this support and involvement can be implemented, especially in forensic inpatient services, where carers are reported to experience elevated stress levels compared to non-forensic carers. This paper outlines a new format for delivering carer-centred, co-produced support groups, based on an integrated approach. In addition, the authors present a focus group evaluation of the family, carers and friends support group for forensic inpatients with severe mental illness.