This research aimed to identify perceptions of mental disease by subjects who receive mental health assistance from the Family Health Strategy. The method is qualitative, with 12 subjects answering semi-structured interviews. Using the Thematic Analysis model, we found perceptions about the topics: history of life, suffering and family conflicts. Mental disease was related to experiences of poverty, lack of affect and relationships, which increase vulnerability and reveal the scope of risk factors for mental ilness. In the reports, the possibility of suicide was often mentioned. We call attention to the importance of hearing and taking into consideration concepts elaborated by the subjects who are receiving mental health care, indicating the necessity of organizational directions to account for a diversity of situations.
Mental health; Psychopathology; Social desirability; Affect