This qualitative study discusses the inclusion of family caregivers of people with severe and persistent mental disorders in a participatory academic research. Based on the concept of recovery, the paper addresses the active participation of family members in the evaluation process of mental health services and shared knowledge production. Data was collected by means of participatory assessment instruments in the different stages of inserting family members as researchers. In conclusion, the protagonism of family members in research development is a powerful tool for recovery as it expands knowledge, qualifies user relationship with services, strengthens social bonds and the sharing of experiences, and favors emancipatory and democratic processes of social control.
Key words:
Participatory Research in Mental Health; Recovery; Mental Health Services; Family Protagonism