Traditional therapies have the strength to control psychiatric symptoms, but do not offer the necessary conditions to maintain that control. Therefore, untraditional treatments may be used to help with that maintenance. The objective of this study was to survey the feelings that individuals with mental disorders experience while taking part in recreational activities. To do this, 10 users of a Psychosocial Care Center were interviewed after participating in 10 sessions of Recreational Activities Results showed the participants felt pleasure, tranquility, emotion and bonding. Thus, recreation can be considered an important activity in mental health care, as it has a positive effect on psychosocial rehabilitation. The participants showed very positive feelings, which suggest that recreational activities may be of great help in controlling symptoms hence increasing the patients' chances to maintain the symptoms of their disorders under control.
Mental disorders; Psychiatric nursing; Mental Health Services; Recreation; Emotions
