Who is the crazy? Unveilings and care in women’s mental health

Abstract

This study was developed within the context of in-service training connected to the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Mental Health of the Municipal Health Authority of Apucarana, Paraná (Class of 2020–2022). Through the work carried out by the resident psychologist in two Basic Health Units in the city, we identified the importance of contributing to the unveiling of ways of understanding “female madness” in the field of Mental Health within its historical and social constitution. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen employees, aiming to understand their perceptions regarding female psychological distress in the context of the care process in Primary Care. After conducting the interviews, using a qualitative approach and a critical perspective in Psychology, it was possible to make some notes concerning the consubstantialities that shape female identities, emphasizing aspects such as race, class, the pandemic context, and aesthetics. The participants’ statements reveal how strongly their narratives are associated with a hygienic–moral discourse. With the aim of problematizing and denaturalizing these conceptions, we propose the adoption of a gender perspective in psychosocial interventions in order to requalify employees’ listening practices, promoting respect and ensuring the protection of human rights.