Depressed women in treatment on a Community Mental Health Service the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil

• Grant number: 08/06460-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2009
• End date: July 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health
• Principal Investigator: Denise Martin Coviello
• Grantee: Denise Martin Coviello
• Host Institution: Coordenadoria Geral de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu e Pesquisa. Universidade Católica de Santos (UNISANTOS). Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Depression is an important problem for public health showing the importance of mental health among other disorders. It is a significant cause of personal and social disability. It is important to understand the greater female vulnerability to depression on a gender approach. The objective of this study is to understand motives and reasons underlying the idioms of depression of women diagnosed with the disorder in treatment on a Community Mental Health Service. Santos is a national and international reference for a treatment model of an out-patient psychiatric clinic. Qualitative data collection will use ethnographic observation and semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Participants will be women diagnosed with depression; patients of a Community Mental Health Service Analysis will focus on the daily life of depressed women and their relation with mental health service. The anthropological approach of this mental health disorder among women aims to establish a dialogue between the model of mental health service and the needs of patients. (AU)