This exploratory study was performed from September to November 2008, with six families of patients with mental disorders from a patients and family association in Curitiba. Objectives: to learn about the role of the family of patients with mental disorders, and to identify the family's perception of mental health - mental disorder, the patient with mental disorder and the mental health treatment. The data was obtained through Group Discussions and organized into thematic categories. It was found that the role of the family is to care, encourage, be there; mental health is the ability to establish relationships, perform activities without suffering; mental disorder is the opposite, in face of which the families feel helpless; hospitalization is seen as suffering, and the highlight is on the importance of the drug treatment. It is necessary to discuss on these issues with the families and prepare health professionals to meet these new health needs.
Family; Mental health; Mental disorders; Family relations
