Abstract

FENERIC, Silvia R. G.; PEREIRA, Walter Augusto B.  and  ZEOULA, Fernanda M.. PSF and mental health: communitary health agent’s (cha) - perceptins about mental health illness. Psicol. hosp. (São Paulo) [online]. 2004, vol.2, n.2. ISSN 2175-3547.

The purpose of this work is investigate the conceptions,”word view”and living experiences of  CHA concerning mental health issues in his own community and, afterwards, the relationship he estabilishes with mental health team that supports his work. The method used in this work is a qualitative research based on CHA’s interviews which is closely connected to health antropology. We were astonished to realise CHA overcomes his own professional attributions as he makes important interventions and managements. It has been demonstrated his personal difficulties to manege mental health issues and the possibility of daily weaviness leading to strong emotional reactions and illness. Our conclusion is that CHA knowledge, regarding his local experience, should be valued within communitary health team in order to construct a new health praxis. Far more than trying to “educate or ïlluminate”the CHA with the so-called “scientific knowledge”, the mental health team wich supports his work should be available to listen to him in order to learn how to deal with local work trough the CHA role.

Keywords : Mental health; Health Family Program.