This study was conducted in response to the interest in mental health issue in Seoul and the need to re-establish the functions of currently operating day rehabilitation facilities and group homes.
Seoul has the largest number of mental health rehabilitation facilities nationwide. In particular, day rehabilitation facilities and group homes offer a comprehensive range of services, offering a diverse range of services. However, complex issues persist, including facility disparities across districts, functional overlap between facility types, and operating standards that fail to adequately reflect user needs and severity. This study comprehensively analyzes the operational status and institutional structure of Seoul's mental health rehabilitation facilities, identifies limitations in the current operating system, and develops operational improvement measures focused on day rehabilitation facilities and group homes. Key findings include: First, the current facility management system, which focuses on quotas and group programs, needs to be transformed into a system of individualized recovery support. Second, the existing service system, which operates as a common business regardless of type, should be reorganized into a system that distinguishes the common and individual functions of day rehabilitation facilities and group homes. Third, specialized functions of mental health rehabilitation facilities should be diversified. For day rehabilitation facilities, we propose specializing in young people entering the workforce and providing employment support, while group homes should specialize in serving middle-aged and older adults. Fourth, measures to revitalize service networks should be developed. Within the mental health system, information should be established to ensure easy access for people with mental illness and their families. Furthermore, diverse connections with community resources outside the mental health system should be reflected in performance and evaluations. Finally, administrative support should be strengthened to promote the use of public facilities, rent assistance, securing public housing, regular training, and participation in policy processes.