The objective of this study was to understand the lived experiences of family members of children attending a Child Psychosocial Care Center. This study is a qualitative research with a phenomenological approach, developed at a Child Psychosocial Care Center (CAPSi as per its acronym in Portuguese) located in the municipality of Cascavel, State of Paraná. Participants were eleven family members of clients attending the above mentioned service and who, more actively, took part in the clients' care. Semi-structured interviews were performed and the gathered data were then analyzed by means of social phenomenology methodology. The experience lived by the family members of children attending the Child Psychosocial Care Center included experiences in dealing with clients' behavior; seeking referrals to other services; waiting for treatment; hoping to see an improvement in the clinical profile of the patient and experiencing the service support provided to the family. Thus, this present study may contribute to a reflection on mental health nursing practice in caring for clients and their families.
Family; Mental health; Mental health services; Nursing