Objectives: Methods of rebuilding the life of males living with schizophrenia who had experienced long-term hospitalization and were currently using psychiatric daycare services in local communities were investigated from the viewpoint of the people to obtain suggestions for supporting them.

Methods: Qualitative and descriptive research designs were applied by referring to ethnographic methods. Participants were nine males living with schizophrenia who had experienced long-term hospitalization of over three years and were currently using psychiatric daycare services. Rebuilding of their life after discharge were identified from analyzing data obtained through participant observation and interviews.

Results: Participants experienced “loss of connections because of their long-term hospitalization” and felt lonely because of “the difficulty in obtaining membership of in their new community” that was unfamiliar to them. They tried to “maintain life and circumstances created by their illness through using the support” of professionals and relatives and rebuild their life by “acquiring connections with daycare members and a role in the community.”

Conclusions: It is necessary to enhance the relationship between the peer community and the local community, providing employment support from early time and local activity opportunities to achieve social participation in which males living with schizophrenia that had experienced long-term hospitalization can live without being isolated.