The construction of therapeutic projects in the mental health field: notes on new care technologies

Over the last three decades Brazil has developed a new community-based mental health policy. In this context it is important to reflect on the offers of care for users, and especially on how therapeutic projects are developed by professionals.

This study was conducted with professionals working in community-based mental health services to investigate and understand their views on the construction of therapeutic projects and compare them with the concepts and theoretical proposals in Brazil's Mental Health Policy Guidelines and a review of the literature.

Thirteen professionals who worked in mental health services located in three cities of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted between September and November of 2009 to understand the views and mechanisms adopted by professionals in developing therapeutic projects. A bibliographical review laid the foundations for the theoretical research and for strengthening the basis of the data analysis.

The professionals views are similar to those proposed in the relevant literature and Brazil's Mental Health Policy Guidelines. However, there is a need to invest in building new models to meet the needs of the population that requires mental health services. Clearer guidelines should be established to organize services and to provide adequate, sufficient training.

The study suggests that attention and resources should be directed to strengthening training of professionals, and especially to qualifying the organization and administration of services in order to consolidate the new model.