A qualitative study on the participation experience in a mental health recovery program based on WHO QualityRights in South Korea

Introduction The World Health Organization’s QualityRights initiative offers a practical framework for developing rights-based, person-centered, and recovery-oriented mental health systems. In Korea, the face-to-face WHO QualityRights specialized training module, Recovery practices for mental health and well-being , was culturally and clinically adapted for local use, incorporating Open Dialogue principles. This adaptation led to the development of the group-based “QualityRights Recovery Program.” This study examines the experiences and perspectives of individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, their family caregivers, and mental health practitioners who participated in this program to inform the local implementation of recovery-oriented mental health practices. Methods Eighteen participants were recruited from two mental health facilities in Suwon, Republic of Korea. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews and used thematic analysis to examine participants’ experiences with the 13-week QualityRights Recovery Program, which was adapted for the Korean clinical context. Results Four major themes emerged: (1) participation and engagement in recovery, (2) changes in communication and decision-making, (3) mutual understanding and shifts in perception, and (4) redefining recovery concepts and therapeutic aims. Conclusion Participants’ perspectives on the QualityRights Recovery Program indicate its potential to restore the autonomy and well-being of individuals with lived experience, while also positively influencing the perspectives of their caregivers and practitioners. These findings provide guidance for expanding rights-based, recovery-oriented mental health interventions in Korea.