The health of workers in Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) has been studied by few researches, despite the deployment of hundreds of CAPS across the country. This study aims to analyze work situations in a CAPS located in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, focusing on the health-disease-work process. In this case study, it was adopted the Ergology and Work Psychodynamics' analytical perspectives, using the techniques of observation, interview and document analysis. The daily activities of mental health workers require a lot of subjective involvement and proved to be overwhelming, producing suffering and disease. Unsatisfying working conditions have affected the service provided and the workers' health. Still, it was possible to identify creative potential and aspects of satisfaction at work. The main strategies used by the subjects to confront and overcome adversities involved the attachment to the service's ideals, support of the team, and recognition of the work developed.
mental health services; patient care team; health manpower; ergology; work psychodynamics