Identity, community, and comfort: how adults with mental health issues envision ideal social spaces
It is common for adults to experience mental health issues that can shape their self-understanding and social life. Although medical treatment can have an important role in mental health care, most of the work of our lives is carried out within non-medical social structures that support o...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Academia.edu Journals
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Academia Mental Health & Well-Being |
| Online Access: | https://www.academia.edu/130158720/Identity_community_and_comfort_how_adults_with_mental_health_issues_envision_ideal_social_spaces |
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| Summary: | It is common for adults to experience mental health issues that can shape their self-understanding and social life. Although medical treatment can have an important role in mental health care, most of the work of our lives is carried out within non-medical social structures that support our well-being. This qualitative study addressed how individuals with mental health issues conceptualize their identities and envision ideal non-medicalized, wellness-promoting communities. Reflexive thematic analysis of survey responses (N = 36) identified three identity orientations: “injured selfhood” (those whose sense of self had been damaged and who felt helpless to positively affect their mental health); “mindset of management” (those who viewed their own mental health issues as manageable difficulties); and “double-edged sword” (those who perceived both negative and positive consequences of their mental health experiences). Across orientations, comfort was considered to be a core community need, defined by interpersonal factors like acceptance and freedom from judgement, and spatial factors like relaxing environments. These findings underscore the value of diverse, inclusive designs informed by lived experiences to create supportive mental health spaces. |
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| ISSN: | 2997-9196 |