Rights of people with mental disorders: The perspective of caregivers

Abstract

An empirical study with a qualitative approach which has the objective of identifying the understanding of health professionals about the fundamental human rights of people with mental disorders. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 26 professionals from different categories who participate in the process of hospitalization of the patients in a specialized hospital in São Paulo countryside. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and interpreted through thematic content analysis. Three thematic units were obtained: mental health professionals and the human rights of people with mental disorders; knowledge about human rights and the exercise of citizenship by people with mental disorders; and professional attitudes towards the human rights of people with mental disorders. It was concluded that professionals recognized the civil, political and social rights of patients, especially the right to adequate and humane health care, information, equality and dignity. Professionals said that awareness of human rights allows them to collect and demand the assurance and respect of such rights. Some workers admitted their role as educators regarding these rights. There was a connection between knowledge, awareness and respect of rights. On the other hand, the lack of knowledge and understanding of rights and the lack of instruction of workers may interfere with interpersonal relations within the service, and most of the respondents witnessed situations of violations of fundamental human rights.