Abstract

GARCIA, Isadora Facó et al. "Get out of my way, i prefer to walk alone, let me decide my life!": empowerment experiences in a mental health group. Mental [online]. 2017, vol.11, n.21, pp. 411-430. ISSN 1679-4427.

With the emergence of psychiatric reform and, soon after, the Anti-Asylum, a movement for human rights of mental health users began, based upon the popular knowledge (which has long been undervalued and labeled as inferior to scientific knowledge) and the strengthening of the political participation of these users, which historically were part of an excluded class of society. Thus, this article discussed the experience of an extension group of a university in Northeast Brazil with the participation of university teachers and students, and users and professionals of the mental health system. For this purpose, we used the methods of cartographic mapping, institutional analysis, intervention research, conversation circles and diaries throughout 2014. From the mapping done, we realized the displacement of identities and the emergence of resistance movements, besides demonstrating the importance of exchange of experience for the reframing of personal and collective issues, identifying the relations of knowledge and power that cross the group.

Keywords : mental health; minority groups; social participation; social support.

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