Health promotion and welfare service support strategies for people with mental illness in the community

Abstract

Global and national policies emphasize that people with mental illness should be supported for recovery in order to enable them to live independently and integrated in the community. In Korea, although services for community-based recovery support are specified in the Mental Health Welfare Act, they have not been fully implemented. In addition, although physical health of people with mental illness is a basic and essential element for living in the community and recovery of illness, support in the field has been limited for improving their physical health. Therefore, through a review of previous studies, a stakeholder survey, qualitative interviews, and expert advisory meetings, this study explores the health status, health and welfare service use experience and demand of people with mental illness living in the community. In addition, focusing on individual health and welfare service areas, this study suggests ways how to improve health of people with mental illness living in the community, how to increase their access to welfare services, how to lead independent lives, how to get employment while receiving legitimate convenience, and how to support them to enjoy education, culture and leisure life without exclusion and discrimination. Along with this, the study suggests policy support measures for discussions due to the recent abolition of Article 15 of the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act.