Integrating psychiatric rehabilitation into inpatient psychiatric hospitalization to advance personal recovery

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric rehabilitation services (PRS) were developed to facilitate recovery and community integration by addressing psychosocial needs such as housing, employment, illness management, and social inclusion for individuals with serious mental illness. However, PRS are primarily designed for and available in community settings. The objective of this conceptual article is to explore the potential role of PRS during inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and offer a forward-looking vision, identifying trends to guide future efforts. METHOD: This article presents a conceptual analysis of the potential benefits and impacts of PRS on the recovery process of individuals with serious mental illness if these services were also provided during hospitalization. This critical analysis was coauthored by various stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience, psychiatric, and other mental health providers, and psychiatric rehabilitation researchers. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Integrating PRS into routine care during psychiatric hospitalization supports recovery and facilitates postdischarge community connections and outcomes. While PRS were originally conceptualized and designed for community settings, efforts should be made to tailor and adapt them for use in inpatient settings. Shifting staff attitudes toward inpatient recovery-oriented care, developing interventions and training for PRS integration, and securing leadership and institutional buy-in are the next practical steps to make this vision a reality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).