Relações de amizade para usuários da saúde mental: um estudo exploratório

Abstract

In the 1970s and 1980s, Brazil underwent profound changes, including in the area of mental health, driven by the Psychiatric Reform. This reform encompassed conceptual, technical, sociocultural, and legal aspects, emphasizing the importance of social networks for the inclusion and increased social participation of mental health service users. However, many individuals face challenges in establishing and strengthening these networks due to social stigma and the isolation caused by mental illness. Friendship plays a crucial role in mental health; individuals with strong social ties tend to exhibit lower levels of anxiety and depression, serving as a source of support during crises. Promoting friendship formation should be an integral part of mental health care, as meaningful relationships are essential for improving users' quality of life and providing protective factors. Consequently, this research aimed to investigate and understand the role, function, and importance of friendships for users of CAPS II (Psychosocial Care Centers). This exploratory study utilized a qualitative approach and involved ten users from a CAPS II in a municipality in the interior of São Paulo state. Data collection employed two semi-structured interview guides based on participants' responses to the question: "Do you have friends?" If the answer was affirmative, Guide 1 was used; if negative, Guide 2 was applied. The collected data were transcribed and subjected to Thematic Analysis, resulting in three thematic categories: "Who am I in this conversation about friendship?", "Friendship for what and where?", and "What is the importance of having a friendship?". The analysis revealed that most participants have friendships and express a desire to make new friends. They also shared difficulties in establishing trust and factors limiting their ability to form new connections. It was noted that most friendships occur in other social spaces, with four participants mentioning church as a context for friendship, while only one person identified CAPS as such a space. Finally, it is suggested that further research should be conducted on this topic to generate knowledge and develop new strategies that support mental health users in building, maintaining, and expanding their friendships. It is argued that care must include strengthening users' social networks and expanding opportunities for sociability in their communities as a means to enhance inclusion.