As Famílias com Doentes Mentais

Abstract

Health policies support that people with mental disease should live within the community. Families are expected to take care of their mentally ill members but they are not prepared to deal with it. The family does not understand the patient’s behaviour or the manifestations of the disease still dealing with guilt, physical and emotional burden, social isolation, and often economic difficulties. The aim of this study is to identify the health needs in families with mentally ill and develop healthy strategies to overcome the difficulties caused by the disease. We want to help to promote the health of families with mentally ill patients. A sample of 20 families of mentally ill was studied through semi-structured interviews. Data processing was subjected to content analysis. Families feel insecure, not knowing what to do. They state that it would be important to know how to deal with the patient and who can help them when they turn to an imbalance. This information is important to plan some care and enable nurses working with families of mental patients to intervene with them, so that they can readjust to their new life projects.