[Mental health as interdisciplinary topic in the nursing curriculum]

Our aim in this study was to check if the contents of the mental health subject area may permeate the courses forming the Undergraduate program in nursing, by describing the experience developed in a public university and by getting to know what the academics' perception of that practice was. Twenty-seven students took part in the research. A questionnaire was used. Concerning the introduction of the mental health subject area in other disciplines, 18.5% of the respondents claimed it was great, 70.5% said it was good, and 11% considered it as regular. As to its applicability, 7.5% got to use what they had learned, 81.5% used it sometimes, but they believe it is of use, and 11% of the respondents didn't get to use it, but believe it can be used. The application of the mental health subject area contents to several courses in the nursing program is perceived by students as a basis for a global health care to be supplied to customers, family, and community.