MEANING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE: ABOUT THE PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE NETWORK OF UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM

Abstract Different conceptions of care permeate the health sector playing an important role in the practices adopted in all fields, including mental health. This research sought meaning for mental health care in the Psychosocial Care Network of Brazilian Unified Health System. The study is methodologically of a phenomenological qualitative nature, from the heideggerian hermeneutics referential. The analytical path was also inspired by the reference of Visual Anthropology and its ethnographic approach. The efforts undertaken in this research came up from the selection of 21 photographs that depict different experiences about the care exercised inside some devices of mental health. From these images, the meaning of care exercised in the Psychosocial Care Network devices emerged as still linked to the notion of care based on effective actions and operations considered appropriate only by following protocols, welfare criteria and activities recommended on manuals. The care deemed necessary for the scope of mental health is one that values people, is interested in their feelings and expectations as to what professionals can come to collaborate to meet the needs, reduce people’s suffering and to the reconfiguration of health devices.