Perceptions of persons with mental disorders about Recovery: a report from a focus group

Abstract

Recovery-based approaches have been increasingly used and researched in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Care, guiding these services in several countries. In Brazil, in recent years, there has been a greater presence in the academic literature of quantitative and qualitative research on recovery and related subjects. This article presents the results of a Focus Group, conducted in the city of São Paulo, in the south of Brazil, in December 2017, with support from the Schizophrenia Program of the Escola Paulista de Medicina of the Federal University of São Paulo (PROESQ-EPM / Unifesp). The group had eight members of the Brazilian Schizophrenia Association (ABRE) and its main objective was to investigate the participants' understanding of some concepts and elements considered important, according to the literature, related to the recovery process. The transcribed content was analyzed according to the following conceptual categories: mental problem and mental disorder; support networks; recovery (subdivided into: existential clinic, improving, overcoming and feeling fulfilled) and mental health services. In the participants' discourse, it was possible to identify self and hetero stigma, mainly through denominations and terms that negatively reinforce their identities and the establishment of social relationships. Ambivalent feelings were identified in the category of mental health services in the face of experiences linked to dehumanized and stigmatizing forms of care. Positive perceptions of care received in the scope of services were noted, identified a support references, highlighting positive aspects present in relationships with professionals. Another important element, present in the narratives, was the recognition of the presence of the facilitator with lived experience, working in the peer support groups. These facilitators were recognized as possible professionals to be inserted in mental health services.