Gyeonggi-do to Conduct In-Person Investigations for All Psychiatric Patients Requesting Admission and Discharge Reassessment

The 'Metropolitan Mental Health Review Committee,' an institution responsible for re-examination of admission and discharge of mental illness patients in Gyeonggi-do, is discussing opinions regarding the patients subject to review.

Gyeonggi Province conducted face-to-face investigations for all mental illness patients who requested reexamination for admission and discharge last year.

The ‘Metropolitan Mental Health Review Committee,’ the reexamination agency for admission and discharge of mental illness patients in Gyeonggi Province, announced on the 13th that it conducted face-to-face investigations for all 119 subjects last year, taking the lead in protecting human rights.

The Metropolitan Mental Health Review Committee plays a role in notifying the results of reexaminations when a patient who was involuntarily admitted requests discharge, etc. First, the city or county basic mental health review committee conducts the initial review, and if the patient appeals the result and requests a reexamination, the committee reviews whether to extend the admission period, discharge, improve treatment, or support outpatient treatment.

In particular, under current law, the review method is primarily document examination, with on-site inspections conducted as necessary. However, Gyeonggi Province conducted face-to-face investigations for all 119 reexamination applicants last year to protect human rights through more accurate investigations of mental illness patients.

This approach aims to provide reliable expert opinions on patients to the review committee by conducting direct interviews with patients, reviewing medical records, and incorporating voices from the field through face-to-face investigations.

The Metropolitan Mental Health Review Committee avoids extending admissions for chronic patients and takes the lead in preventing relapse of mental illness patients after discharge by issuing treatment orders, linking them to community rehabilitation facilities, and outpatient treatment.

Reexamination requests can be submitted within 14 days from the date of notification of the review results by the city or county basic mental health review committee. For inquiries, detailed guidance is available through the Gyeonggi Province Mental Health Division.

Kim Byeong-man, head of the Gyeonggi Province Mental Health Division, stated, "The operation of the Metropolitan Mental Health Review Committee through face-to-face investigations will help protect and strengthen the human rights of mental illness patients," adding, "We will do our best to improve the mental health of the residents going forward."

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