Psychosocial rehabilitation in assisted housing in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to discuss how the Therapeutic Housing for service users with mental disorders in the municipalities of Miranda do Corvo (Portugal) and Volta Redonda (Brazil) contributes to the psychosocial rehabilitation of people with psychological problems. The study has a historical perspective and its sources were laws, resolutions and official reports, and statements from nurses, psychologists and social workers. It was verified that although in both municipalities the intention is the deinstitutionalization of people with psychological distress, in Miranda do Corvo (Portugal) the financial and administrative management is the responsibility of a foundation, while in Volta Redonda (Brazil), this management is under the auspices of the municipal executive department. Furthermore, it was noted that in Miranda do Corvo, disciplinary rules were adopted due to the excessive number of service users. It is concluded that the economic crisis in Portugal hindered the Therapeutic Houses expansion policy as it resulted in a number of users that does not allow more individualized intervention.