Presentation Information
[O-9-01]Rethinking Psychosis: Inuit Perspectives on Parallel and Plural Realities
*Dominique Gaulin (Université de Montréal(Canada))
Keywords:
psychotic phenomana,parallel and plural realities,epistemic injustice,coloniality,recovery
In dominant psychiatric discourse, psychotic phenomena are often framed as pathological disruptions of reality. However, among the Inuit of Nunavik, Quebec, Canada, these experiences are understood in more diverse ways, shaped by spiritual, social, biological and historical contexts. This presentation will explore the findings of an ethnographic study that redefines so-called psychotic experiences as “parallel and plural realities” (RPP). Based on interviews with Inuit in Nunavik, one of the Indigenous nations of Quebec (Canada) affected by these experiences—individuals, families, traditional knowledge holders, and mental health workers—this research highlights four main explanatory frameworks: spiritual interpretations (e.g., spirits, nature, religious forces), psychosocial factors (e.g., trauma, substance use), structural determinants (e.g., colonial history, social inequalities), and biological explanations. The concept of recovery is also explored through Inuit perspectives, emphasizing holistic, relational, and culturally grounded approaches rather than symptom suppression alone. This said, despite efforts toward cultural safety, the prevailing mental health system often dismisses Inuit knowledge, reinforcing epistemic violence and limiting access to care that aligns with local worldviews. This raises critical questions: How can we decolonize mental health practices? How do we make space for multiple ways of understanding distress and healing? This presentation will conclude with reflections on rethinking mental health interventions in Nunavik by integrating Inuit epistemologies and fostering culturally relevant, collaborative approaches. The goal is to move beyond mere recognition of cultural differences and toward systemic change that honors and includes Indigenous knowledge in mental health care