This study aims to understand the organization of psychosocial work in a medium-sized town. To this end, we developed a qualitative research, based on constructivist paradigm and supported by theoretical productions in the field of public health and mental health. The methodological strategies were focus groups, in-depth interviews and documentary research. Eighty subjects participated, represented by Family Health Strategy (FHS) professionals, the Nucleus of Support to Family Health and Psychosocial Attention Center (CAPS), as well as by users of the latter. Paradoxes and production dilemmas were identified by the scarcity of resources, by the place that CAPS takes on psychosocial care in the city and by incorporating national policy on mental health critical of dissociated from critical reflections, the history and conceptual construct that produced it. CAPS takes a place of reference and confidence for patients, but remains isolated and is held responsible for social mandate on insanity and the insane. In FHS, patients are identified by signs of dangerousness and need, while the medicine takes on the function of appeasement agent, constituting the main therapeutic strategy. Immersed in the imaginary of precariousness, the network studied illuminates several risks to consolidating the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform.
Psychiatric Reform; Mental Health; Center for Psychosocial Attention; Family Health Program