Gender, violence and mental health: experience report in the Pernambuco hinterland

Abstract

This article presents the experience of a group with women performed in a mental health service located in the hinterland of Pernambuco. Through the anamneses and psychological consultations, the great number of women who reported a history of family violence as antecedent of the mental suffering was noticed. The reported violence is of several types and committed by divers actors. The consequence of this violence are the various types of mental disorders because due to their socio-family specificities, often continue in the cycle of violence. Some have a history of attempted suicide. The group aimed to discuss issues of gender, violence, human rights and health. The meetings took place once a month, during the year 2015, with an average of six participants per meeting. As a result, the strengthening of family ties and the redefinition of symptoms are mentioned. It is believed that it is important to expand actions, carrying out experiments with specific groups such as the one presented, since medicating psychic suffering will not bring effective results in breaking the cycle of violence.