Volunteer support is where one (or more) unpaid volunteer(s) spend time on a regular basis to support someone (or group of individuals) with severe mental illness. The support may be focused on talking, joint activities, expanding social networks or practical support (such as vocational rehabilitation).

For this study, volunteers will be drawn from a mixture of university students, recent graduates, the general public, and religious communities. Volunteers will meet with patients every 2 weeks for 6 months. After 6 months, patients and volunteers may decide to continue with the intervention.