The present study aimed to understand the aspects related to compliance and non compliance to the pharmacological treatment for depression, with users and former-users of a mental-health public service. Twenty four patients were interviewed individually (12 adherent and 12 non-adherent to the pharmacological treatment for depression). Through interviews content analysis, it was identified that the compliance and non-compliance phenomenon would be inter-related to intrapersonal aspects, interpersonal aspects, and to the context of the patient's treatment, The results contributed to reflections concerning to the role of mental health teams in enhancing treatment compliance, as well as to the need of a greater consideration of the individual, the family and the community, and the assistance provided by the institution.
compliance; non-compliance; depression
