Nowon-gu Develops Seoul's First Rehabilitation Exercise Program for People with Mental Disabilities

Operation... Inspired by the existing mental health services focused on counseling/welfare, started by a staff member's suggestion... Developed a program to improve physical functions and mental rehabilitation effects for people with mental disabilities... Operated every Tuesday from 2 to 4 PM at the institution

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it has developed and started operating a rehabilitation exercise program specifically for people with mental disabilities, becoming the first autonomous district in Seoul to do so.

As of September this year, the number of registered disabled people in Nowon-gu is about 26,000, the second highest among Seoul's autonomous districts. Among them, approximately 1,500 have mental disabilities. In cases of mental disabilities including depression, physical functions decline and become limited, and sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of sarcopenia. However, there was a lack of physical rehabilitation programs tailored for these individuals.

Accordingly, the district developed a rehabilitation exercise program to improve their physical functions and mental rehabilitation effects, and began operating it from October this year. Notably, this project was initiated by a rehabilitation exercise staff member who interacts directly with residents. The staff noted that existing mental health-related projects mainly focused on welfare aspects such as counseling and support for housing and treatment costs.

Every Tuesday from 2 PM to 4 PM, the responsible staff visits institutions where people with mental disabilities such as schizophrenia are active. The program includes autonomic nervous system stimulation training to improve sleep and digestive disorders, myofascial release exercises for pain relief, and aerobic exercises. Using new sports equipment, games are also conducted to foster social skills through collaboration with others.

To build rapport (the formation of a positive relationship based on friendliness and trust between counselor and client), the program is conducted for 15 people per institution over six months (18 sessions). Currently, the program is being operated at Nowon Hope Space Irum, a mental rehabilitation facility. Next year, it is planned to be conducted at the Peace Mental Rehabilitation Facility.

After the program ends, the district plans to produce and provide approximately 50-minute exercise videos tailored to each institution to support continuous self-help activities within the institutions. In May, an exercise class for 15 elderly living alone was conducted as a project of the Sanggye 8-dong Welfare Council, and after the visiting program ends in October, videos will be provided so that they can continue exercising independently.

Meanwhile, the district operates health centers including the public health center and branch health centers in each area: Wolgye Health Branch, Gongneung Health Branch, Sanggye Health Branch, and Madeul Health Branch. Each branch provides customized health services reflecting local characteristics and demands, supporting chronic disease prevention and the formation of healthy lifestyle habits.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “People suffering from depression and mental disabilities tend to become isolated, so we have prepared a rehabilitation exercise program to improve their physical functions and mental rehabilitation,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to create a healthy and happy Nowon where no one is left behind.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.