The Institutionalization of psychosocial care: the Mühlmann effect in the professional practices of a Psychosocial Care Center

Abstract

Under the assumption that professional practices in mental health services can reflect the institutionalization of psychosocial care in the technical-assistance context, the objective was to analyze the institutionalization process through the professional practices of a Psychosocial Care Center. It is a descriptive and qualitative study, part of intervention research. The data were analyzed in light of the theoretical framework of Institutional Analysis and the psychosocial care model. Although the founding movement of the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform puts tension on the established asylum, professionals tend to reproduce it in practice. Despite the theoretical-practical fragility, some perceive the need to promote the subject's autonomy, but the Mühlmann Effect is observed in their practices, which, in this case, means falsification-distortion of the principles of the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform. It is necessary to create devices for reflection and transformation of mental health care to face this institutional effect.