Resumo

BOARINI, Maria Lucia. The (unknown) psychiatric reform in ‘smaller than small’ localities. Psicol. rev. (Belo Horizonte) [online]. 2009, vol.15, n.1, pp. 28-50. ISSN 1677-1168.

This article is the result of a qualitative-exploratory study, whose main objective was to learn more on the subject of public mental health care at a municipality classified as ‘smaller than small’. Thirteen families of patients with mental disorders were interviewed (in seven of those families, the patient took part in the interview), as well as ten health workers from the only existing health care facility (UBS) in town. In general, according to the interviewed subjects (family members and health workers alike), the problem is hereditary and social. Copiously repeated medication and the patient’s isolation in psychiatric wards are perceived as normal. The subjects acknowledge, however, that a stint at a psychiatric ward leaves the person ‘even more traumatized’. This highlights the need for a closer look at those ‘smaller than small’ municipalities, as well as greater investment in the qualification of multi-professional teams committed to mental health care initiatives, which favor community-based care and effective social control.

Palavras-chave : psychiatric reform; mental health care; ‘smaller than small’ municipalities.

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