Beyond Clinical Stability: Recovery and Reintegration Among Residents of a Psychiatric Halfway Home in India— A Qualitative Study

Background: Halfway homes provide transitional support for persons with mental illness moving from institutional care to community living. However, there is limited evidence from India on how residents experience recovery and rehabilitation within these settings. Hence, this study was done to explore the lived experiences of persons with mental illness residing in a halfway home, understand its role in rehabilitation and recovery, and identify factors influencing rehabilitation outcomes. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among residents of a government-run halfway home. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with eight purposively selected residents who had lived in the facility. Interviews explored experiences of rehabilitation, daily functioning, social relationships, occupational engagement, future aspirations, and barriers to reintegration. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s approach. Results: Five themes emerged: transition from institutional dependence to everyday autonomy; work, routine, and reconstruction of identity; relearning daily living and functional independence; social support, family estrangement, and reintegration challenges; and hope and future aspirations. Participants described halfway home as a space that promoted autonomy, privacy, mobility, and participation in everyday life. Work and structured routines contributed to identity reconstruction and purpose. Recovery was facilitated by peer and institutional support, while stigma, family estrangement, and medication-related challenges remained important barriers. Conclusions: Halfway homes play a vital role in promoting recovery, autonomy, and community reintegration among persons with mental illness and represent an important component of recovery-oriented mental health services in India.