The article describes and analyses the social support network of patients with schizophrenia diagnosis of an attention psychosocial center of the Distrito Federal, Brazil, through the Social Network Analysis. The findings relate that many patients are able to give back the received support, especially to the family members. Therefore, the support reciprocity may be a purpose to be developed, turning stronger the relationships, and motivating improvements on the social support network. A participative culture in all contexts where the schizophrenia has been included may contribute for increasing autonomy and self-steam. Overall, the social support network studying becomes possible through the network evaluation, recognizing the limitations and identifying the potentialities for better changes.
social support; schizophrenia; attention psychosocial center (CAPS); psychiatry reform
