[Evaluation of mental health actions at the Family Health Strategy program: needs and potentialities]

This article aims to show the needs and potentialities of mental health actions in the Family Health Strategy progran, as evaluated by social actors members of Local Health Board. The methods used were Fourth Generation Evaluation and Constant Comparative Method. Observations and interviews were undertaken with eight participants. The information that emerged from the study converged on the core thematic "participatory appraisal of actions in mental health", emphasizing needs and potentialities. Mental health actions have as needs guiding-sensitive welcome, Social Security benefits and the Family Grant Program (Bolsa Família), and as potentialities, matrix support and social control. The evaluation of mental health interventions strengthens citizenship and participation in decision-making spaces, acknowledging user-agents and the solidarity networks in the territory.