Entre a crise e a criatividade: oficinas expressivas como estratégia de cuidado em enfermaria de saúde mental em hospital geral

Abstract

Mental health care has historically been marked by segregation, institutionalization and medicalization, often neglecting the individuality and rights of those receiving care. With the advancement of psychiatric reform, there has been a shift toward more humanized approaches, prioritizing treatment in community-based services. In this model, psychiatric beds in general hospitals are designated for acute cases, emphasizing short-term admissions and social reintegration. Within this context, the use of non-pharmacological care strategies becomes crucial, particularly those that foster individuality and autonomy. Among these strategies are expressive workshops, which involve artistic activities and offer spaces for plastic, bodily, musical, and verbal expression. Various authors highlight the importance of art and culture for human development, including psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott, who defines creativity as a means of personal growth and expression. For him, creativity enables individuals to experience and explore the world in unique and meaningful ways, leading to the discovery of the self. Although the literature points to the relevance of expressive workshops in mental health care, there is still a gap in research on their application during inpatient treatment in psychiatric wards within general hospitals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the perceptions of both users and health professionals regarding expressive workshops conducted in this setting, analyzing their impact on care processes and psychosocial rehabilitation. A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with hospitalized users and questionnaires administered to the health team. Data were interpreted through thematic analysis, and the findings were discussed in light of Winnicottian psychoanalysis. Results indicated that the workshops promote emotional expression, social interaction, and the stimulation of autonomy, contributing to more humanized and person-centered care. The conceptual analysis suggested that workshops can serve as a space for care, functioning as a “good-enough” environment that, by fostering transitional space, encourages play, creativity, and subjectivation. These activities may thus support the resumption of emotional development toward independence, aligning with the concept of psychosocial rehabilitation. This study reinforces the importance of recognizing and expanding the use of light care technologies, such as art and culture, as essential tools in psychosocial rehabilitation, ensuring the rights and subjectivity of individuals experiencing psychological distress.