J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2024 May;63(2):116-131. 10.4306/jknpa.2024.63.2.116.

Operational Status and Evidence Assessment of Community Mental Health Programs in Korea

• Ahn SH
• Sohn JH
• Seo HY
• Lee HW
• Jo S
• Kim SN
• Min HY
• Soh M
• Yoo SY
• Cho SJ
• Park JE

• KMID: 2556499
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2024.63.2.116

Abstract

Objectives
This study analyzed the current state of community mental health programs in Korea to develop evidence-based criteria for these programs.
Methods
Seventy community mental health facilities nationwide were surveyed about the scope of their operated mental health programs. Details, including program structure, staff expertise, standardization, and quality management, of the 511 programs submitted by the facilities as their representative programs were also analyzed to evaluate their efforts for evidence-based practice.
Results
The average number of programs operated by community mental health welfare centers was 15.9. The most common programs were those related to serious mental illness (SMI), followed by child/adolescent mental health programs, early psychosis programs, and non-SMI adult mental health programs. In the case of community addiction management centers, there were 7.2 different addiction-related programs per center. Among the psychiatric rehabilitation facilities for SMI, the average number of programs for SMI was 13.1, with some programs for early psychosis. Of the 511 programs submitted as representative programs in their facilities, only 12.3% were judged to be good evidence-based programs.
Conclusion
More efforts by mental health professionals and governments are needed to implement evidence-based programs in Korea.

Keyword

Community mental health services; Evidence based practice; Psychosocial intervention