Mental health in the urban environment. Positive and negative experiences of people with mental health issues and the impact on recovery

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2021-12-23

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en

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The environment influences mental health and mental health issues, be it through selection or causation. This thesis aims to explore the lived experience of people with mental health issues in the urban environment. A photo elicitation method is applied to explore these experiences. Eight participants were asked to make photographs of places in the urban environment they associate with their mental health. These photographs were discussed in an in-depth interview. The analysis of the interviews and 71 photographs showed that both urban and green/blue places within the urban environment are associated with mental health and recovery. Specific positive experiences in the urban environment can enable personal recovery. This thesis, however, also found that several negative experiences in the urban environment hinders recovery or poses constraints in the day-to-day lives of people with mental health issues. The urban environment is a source of challenges for people with mental health issues, but can also enable recovery under the right circumstances. It is needed to consider the experiences of people with mental health issues in designing the urban environment by reducing challenges and seizing opportunities to create inclusive environments

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen