Reflexões sobre o serviço social na saúde mental: produção do conhecimento, trabalho profissional e desafios contemporâneos

Abstract

This study aims to present an overview of the work of social workers in the area of Mental Health, based on the theoretical-methodological conception of Marilda Iamamoto and taking as a reference the analysis of the production of the Brazilian Social Service between the years 2010 and 2021 on the theme. Initially, it was decided to explain the main conceptions about mental health, to then present the historical trajectory of the legislation and, in this context, highlight the current setbacks faced in the field of Mental Health in the country, or the “counter-reform” that opposes it. to the conquests arising from the Psychiatric Reform process. Continuing, the historical process of the insertion of Social Work in the field of Mental Health was resumed, as well as, it was sought to systematize some of the central elements of the living conditions of users of the Mental Health Policy in Brazil, systematizing the main manifestations of mental health. social issue present in this field, in addition to the professional activities performed by the social worker in the area, and the current challenges for the profession. As part of this panorama, bibliographic surveys were carried out in the Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations and in the academic-scientific journals of the Social Service, for the analysis of the production on the debate concerning the work of social workers in mental health. The methodological course included, in addition to the bibliographic survey, the documentary research. The analysis method for the study is the critical-dialectical, supported by the quantitative-qualitative approach. The results indicate that the progress of a social policy is not linear, thus passing through nuances sometimes of advances, sometimes of dismantling, therefore, the achievements achieved through the Psychiatric Reform must be preserved, recognizing that the continuation or stagnation of these principles are objects of disputes. interests for different corporate projects. Regarding Social Work in Mental Health, it is concluded that the Psychiatric Reform Movement and the Social Work Reconceptualization Movement took place in close contexts, and brought numerous advances to both sectors. Regarding the work of social workers in Mental Health, the literature expresses that it began with psychologizing characteristics, hierarchical between the professions inherent to "psi" knowledge, and its legitimacy and recognition, as technical knowledge in interdisciplinary dialogue, are being gradually conquered. There are countless challenges for the profession in this field, passing through the scenario of globalization and productive restructuring, to the institutional limits experienced daily. It is concluded that this is an insufficiently discussed topic and its debate is necessary not only for the scientific collection of Social Work, but also to think about networking in an articulated and decentralized way, valuing the specific potentialities of each knowledge.