Mindfulness in CAPS as a strategy for psychosocial care: An experience report
1
Prefeitura Municipal de Ponta Grossa, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, Brasil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) constitute a fundamental strategy for mental health care in Brazil, providing community-based interventions for individuals with mental disorders¹,⁴. Depression affects millions of people and is characterized by depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, and functional impairment, often intensified in contexts of social vulnerability²,³. In this context, group interventions emerge as relevant resources within the psychosocial care model⁹. This experience report describes the implementation of a mindfulness group in a CAPS, aiming to promote emotional well-being among users with moderate to severe depressive symptoms⁵,⁶.
METHODS:
This study is a qualitative experience report based on the perceptions of the psychologist who facilitated the group⁴. The intervention consisted of weekly sessions including guided meditation practices, conscious breathing, body scan, relaxation exercises, and the application of mindfulness in daily life⁵,⁶. In addition, moments of experience sharing were conducted, fostering bonding and qualified listening among participants⁹. Observations were recorded through narrative notes, allowing analysis of the group process and perceived changes throughout the sessions⁴.
RESULTS:
Participants reported a reduction in the intensity of anxiety and depressive symptoms throughout their participation in the group, consistent with findings in the literature on mindfulness-based interventions⁷,⁸. Increased group cohesion, strengthened interpersonal bonds, and greater mutual trust were also observed, which are essential elements in psychosocial care⁹. Self-care behaviors were identified, evidenced by the incorporation of mindfulness practices into participants’ daily routines, contributing to improved emotional self-regulation⁵´⁸.
CONCLUSIONS:
The mindfulness group demonstrated positive effects in reducing depressive symptoms and promoting emotional well-being among the users served⁷,⁸. This is a complementary, accessible, and low-cost approach that strengthens the psychosocial care model¹,⁹. The expansion of this intervention to other CAPS is recommended, as well as the development of quantitative and longitudinal studies to assess the maintenance of therapeutic gains⁶,⁸.
Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) constitute a fundamental strategy for mental health care in Brazil, providing community-based interventions for individuals with mental disorders¹,⁴. Depression affects millions of people and is characterized by depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, and functional impairment, often intensified in contexts of social vulnerability²,³. In this context, group interventions emerge as relevant resources within the psychosocial care model⁹. This experience report describes the implementation of a mindfulness group in a CAPS, aiming to promote emotional well-being among users with moderate to severe depressive symptoms⁵,⁶.
METHODS:
This study is a qualitative experience report based on the perceptions of the psychologist who facilitated the group⁴. The intervention consisted of weekly sessions including guided meditation practices, conscious breathing, body scan, relaxation exercises, and the application of mindfulness in daily life⁵,⁶. In addition, moments of experience sharing were conducted, fostering bonding and qualified listening among participants⁹. Observations were recorded through narrative notes, allowing analysis of the group process and perceived changes throughout the sessions⁴.
RESULTS:
Participants reported a reduction in the intensity of anxiety and depressive symptoms throughout their participation in the group, consistent with findings in the literature on mindfulness-based interventions⁷,⁸. Increased group cohesion, strengthened interpersonal bonds, and greater mutual trust were also observed, which are essential elements in psychosocial care⁹. Self-care behaviors were identified, evidenced by the incorporation of mindfulness practices into participants’ daily routines, contributing to improved emotional self-regulation⁵´⁸.
CONCLUSIONS:
The mindfulness group demonstrated positive effects in reducing depressive symptoms and promoting emotional well-being among the users served⁷,⁸. This is a complementary, accessible, and low-cost approach that strengthens the psychosocial care model¹,⁹. The expansion of this intervention to other CAPS is recommended, as well as the development of quantitative and longitudinal studies to assess the maintenance of therapeutic gains⁶,⁸.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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