[Culture and mental illness among the Inuit of Nunavik].

While the major psychiatric disorders described in current nosology can be found among the Inuit of Northern Québec (Nunavik), there are important cultural influences on the symptomatology, social response and course of these disorders. A literature review, consideration of experiences with psychiatric consultation among the Inuit and the preliminary results of ongoing ethnographic research underscore the importance of the study of Inuit ethnopsychology and current attitudes toward the mentally ill in developing culturally sensitive psychiatric care.