Identifying places that foster mental health and well-being among rural men

Abstract

Drawing together research on therapeutic landscapes and rural men's mental health, this article explores where men living with mental health challenges feel well. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 men experiencing mental health challenges to collect in-depth information about their experiences in rural places. Study participants identified strategies to promote their well-being, including using everyday places for relief, relaxation, and to escape judgement; finding spaces for social connection; and helping others. Despite facing some challenges accessing everyday therapeutic landscapes, men's narratives highlight hidden rural amenities, countering deficit framings of rural places and revealing place-based strategies for supporting rural men.

Keywords: Canada; Men; Mental health; Places; Qualitative; Rural.