This study aimed at getting to know stories of the ex-"residents" of psychiatric hospital in their families'view. Through a field research of exploratory character, families of ex-"residents" of psychiatric hospital were interviewed and they described the route taken by them. The stories allowed to trace the path that led these people to become "residents" of psychiatric hospital, what this fact caused to them and what allowed them to return home. The recurrence and longevity of psychiatric hospital admission of "residents" caused loss of social roles and of affective bonds, and also cronicity signs of mental disorders, reinforcing that the asylum model entails in aggravations that could be avoided with treatment in accordance with the precepts of psychosocial care. In this model, there is no place to "reside" in traditional psychiatric hospital, but in general hospital beds and in the shortest time possible, as determined by Law 10216 of April 6, 2001 and by Decree 3088 of 23 December 2011.
Mental health; family; psychiatric reform
