Pathways for Therapy and Urban Health in the Field of Mental Suffering. Illness Narratives from a Residential Complex for Public Housing Assistance in Rome, Italy

The aim of this paper is to analyse and interpret, using a qualitative approach, the relationships between mental health and social vulnerability, by studying a limited population group of in the city of Rome, Italy. Specifically, we analysed two aspects. On the one hand, we looked at the representation, perception and therapeutic management of mental distress based on meanings and symbols that are associated with these issues by the local population. On the other hand, we also extended our analysis of this discomfort to the action of political-economic forces that lead to a sort of incorporation of inequality and social injustice. Through the analysis of illness narratives, there is the possibility to demonstrate how socio-economic and spatial segregation are intertwined with health and social inequalities. From these results, the authors highlight the need to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to equity in health with regard to ‘urban health’. The goal is that of overcoming inequalities in health and social-health care through the analysis of psycho-social-environmental processes and the impact that these processes are able to have on objective and perceived health.