Co-producing adolescent autonomy in mental health care through the Photovoice Workshop

The aim is to analyze the photovoice method as a mental health care tool for adolescents from the perspective of co-production of autonomy, in a Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Center (CAPSi). Research based on the constructivist paradigm, with a qualitative and participatory approach, through the theoretical-methodological path of photovoice. Field notes and Culture Circles were used to collect data. Four adolescents from the CAPSi participated. The analysis occurred simultaneously with the collection, using the constant comparative method. The workshop provided a collection of photographs and their narratives represented creations, experiences, meetings, reflections, and movements about what adolescents have to say about the co-production of autonomy in their lives and their mental health care. It involved an artisan working with the teenagers, who were able to communicate what was not possible to express in words.The photovoice besides a research method, with adolescents and not about them, also demonstrated to be a possible tool in mental health care, as it created space for adolescents to express their needs, desires, and choices of being and doing, which can also be understood as co-production of autonomy in mental health care.