Studies into social networks show that relationships have a significant impact on people's lives. When associated with the population suffering from mental disorders, they serve as an important protection factor and a manager of resources and social support. However, studies show that people with mental disorders have impoverished social networks and few significant relationships. In this perspective, this research sought to characterize the social networks of users of NAPS II in Santo André (SP, Brazil). Conducted in 2006, the qualitative research adopted an ethnographic approach and used interviews by topics, participant observation and field notes. The results revealed that the group studied had an impoverished social network; the life histories of the subjects is related to this impoverishment, since the disruptions caused by situations of crisis or institutionalization removed them from the network of relationships, placing them in a situation of social vulnerability. An attempt was made to address the importance of intervention in the relationships and the role of the services in this process.
Mental health; Social support; Community mental healthcare services; Vulnerability; Mental disorders; Occupational therapy
