The INSPQ was mandated by the Direction générale de la santé publique of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux to produce a knowledge synthesis of the scientific literature in order to 1) identify, in literature reviews, the factors associated with mental health in the context of a pandemic or a disaster, factors upon which municipalities can take action; and 2) identify actions at the municipal or community level that influence these factors and help promote mental health in the aftermath of a disaster.
The reviews analyzed show a strong convergence on several factors associated with mental health status, including those related to the social environment: social support, taking pro-social actions (e.g., offering support to friends or neighbours during lockdown), social isolation and feelings of loneliness, or restricting contact and periods of confinement. The same is true for factors related to the socioeconomic status of individuals, including income,…