This study was aimed at investigating the social representations of families and users of mental health services regarding their participation in the treatment of persons with severe mental disease. The study was based on the Theory of Social Representations. Data collection was carried out through the application of a free association of words test and an interview with a script with relatives and users of two day-hospitals in Fortaleza, State of Ceará. The results showed that the subjects of the research consider the care in this kind of service beneficial and think that family support is essential for progress in the treatment of persons with mental disease.
Mental health; Mental disorders; Family