This article addresses psychiatric care reform from the perspective of the mental health workers, viewing it as a strategy to guarantee better response to user demands and better working conditions. It builds on the premise that a mental health care service based on the principles of psychiatric care reform will lead to a more satisfied and healthier work force. This article is based on master's degree research conducted in the Brazilian Federal District with focus groups composed of mental health workers from the only local psychiatric hospital and a Psychosocial Care Centre (CAPS). Content analysis led to the conclusion that the psychiatric hospital environment caused or contributes toward the mental sickness and suffering of the workers.
Psychiatric Care Reform; Health Work; Mental Health