Community therapy as strategy for promoting mental health: the path to empowerment

Abstract

In contemporary times, women have carried a variety of cultural roles either as the family caregiver and keeper, or as businesswoman, head and provider. The woman’s health-disease process is distinguished by situations of stress characterized by constant suffering, regardless of the role she plays socially. Experiences of Community Therapy, with women, have been a strategy adopted by the family health teams to deal with emotional suffering developed in daily life. This study aimed to understand the contributions of Community Therapy in women who attended Family Health Strategy services. This is an exploratory study conducted in the city of Vila Flor/ Rio Grande do Norte, with 13 women who participated in the therapy groups, during the period of May to August of 2008. The empirical material was produced through interviews followed by analysis of discourses. The investigation of this information revealed that when women share their problems they received support from the group, what reflected on the feeling of relief from pain that was associated with the loss of beloved people. Results showed that the group meetings promoted the recovery of the resilient attribute, which contributed to individual empowerment, increased autonomy and self-esteem, strengthen family, social, community, and spiritual ties.