A qualitative description of community service, business, and organization perspectives on mental illness and inclusion

ABSTRACT Although stigma associated with mental illness is pervasive, less is known about community stakeholder perspectives on inclusion and exclusion. This study provides a qualitative analysis of the mental illness–related experiences and perspectives of individuals who form much of the fabric of “community” for individuals with severe mental illness. In-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse group of 94 key community stakeholders in five neighborhoods in a large Canadian urban center. Qualitative analysis revealed a range of strategies that were used to foster inclusive spaces, the dilemmas that attended more severe forms of mental illness, and the importance of the meanings ascribed to mental illness in determining responses. Differences in response as a function of stakeholder group were also explored. There exist very promising resources and diverse perspectives on inclusion in urban communities that warrant further investigation given the intensive emphasis upon ‘community’ in policy and practice dialogues.