The objective of this study was to understand the everyday lives of users of a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS, Centro de Atenção Psicossocial). This is a qualitative study, with Alfred Schutz's phenomenological sociology as the theoretical framework. The studied field was a CAPS located in Porto Alegre, and the interviewed subjects were 13 users. Data collection was performed between April and June 2008, through interviews performed using a guiding question. The comprehensive analysis of the subjects' testimonials resulted in five concrete categories, and this article reports on the category named: Users consider the CAPS to be a dimension of their everyday life. Through this research it was possible to understand the conceptions that users have about their everyday life, showing that they are re(acquiring) social living in the various social environments. In conclusion, besides providing care, the CAPS are promoting the psychosocial rehabilitation of their users.
Mental health; Rehabilitation; Mental Health Services; Psychiatric nursing; Deinstitutionalization