Recovery from severe mental illness in Québec: The role of culture and place

Health Place. 2019 Mar:56:63-69. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.01.008. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Abstract

This paper examines the role of culture and place in recovery from severe mental illness amongst a group of Québécois living in Montreal, Canada. Results indicate that dominant cultural characteristics of Québécois, such as a marked Roman Catholic heritage, use of the French language and a close affiliation with the natural territory of Québec can all play important roles in recovery from severe mental illness. The findings suggest that participants weave together places with cultural, familial and personal meaning to create their own healing landscapes. We propose ways to leverage place and dominant cultural traits to facilitate recovery.

Keywords: Culture; Healing Landscapes; Mental Health; Mental Illness; Québécois; Recovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catholicism / psychology
  • Culture*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Language*
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nature*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quebec