Affiliations: Curso de Terapia Ocupacional da Faculdade de Medicina
da USP, São Paulo, Brazil
Note: [] Corresponding author: Juliana de Oliveira Barros, Curso de
Terapia Ocupacional da Faculdade de Medicina da USP. Rua Cipotânea, 51,
Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Tel.: +55 11 3091
8436; E-mail: juliana.obarros@usp.br
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Over the last three decades Brazil has developed a new
community-based mental health policy. In this context it is important to
reflect on the offers of care for users, and especially on how therapeutic
projects are developed by professionals. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with professionals working in
community-based mental health services to investigate and understand their
views on the construction of therapeutic projects and compare them with the
concepts and theoretical proposals in Brazil's Mental Health Policy Guidelines
and a review of the literature. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen professionals who worked in mental health
services located in three cities of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between September
and November of 2009 to understand the views and mechanisms adopted by
professionals in developing therapeutic projects. A bibliographical review laid
the foundations for the theoretical research and for strengthening the basis of
the data analysis. RESULTS: The professionals views are similar to those proposed in
the relevant literature and Brazil's Mental Health Policy Guidelines. However,
there is a need to invest in building new models to meet the needs of the
population that requires mental health services. Clearer guidelines should be
established to organize services and to provide adequate, sufficient training.
CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that attention and resources should
be directed to strengthening training of professionals, and especially to
qualifying the organization and administration of services in order to
consolidate the new model.
Keywords: Mental health services, community mental health services, technological development, occupational therapy
