CONCEPTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES RELATING TO MENTAL ILLNESS

Abstract

Objective: This study had as purpose to learn about the conceptions on mental health among public health professionals, in order to perceive their practice in such an area in view of reinserting socially people who suffer from mental illness, considering the psychiatric reform along with its substitutive services and a working hospital. Methodology: It was adopted a qualitative approach; this field work followed a semi-direct interview script using a MP3 device for recordings, and the Collective Subject Speech Thematic Analyses Technique was employed. The sample was carried out enfolding three areas of knowledge: social service, psychology and nursing, including 15 professionals who were equally distributed into those specialties; interviews were performed in two months’ time approximately. Results: According to the results achieved, the new concepts about madness and its treatment have been introduced, and it was also discovered that, to some extent, archaic believes have remained, though professionals’ speech inserted in the new flam have distinguished from the reports of others that worked in psychiatric hospitals. Conclusion: Accordingly, it’s notorious the absolute need for continuity of the apprehension of new theories which could provide transformation in view of reaching more and more spaces in the society for the effective exercise of the citizenship of individuals that suffer from mental problems. DESCRIPTORS: Public health. Mental health. Professional practice.