Mental Health History

Abstract

The history of humanity occupies a place of primacy in the development and well-being of human beings. This need inherent to each one, manifested by a desire to know and relate to the past, is revealing of their way of interpreting and managing the present. In this context, this article aims to reflect on the evolution of mental health nursing from a historical perspective and reflect on the meanings of mental illness according to chronological contexts. Regarding the methodology, this essentially consisted of three steps: Bibliographic research for a reasoned search; a further descriptive approach, on the different temporal periods, their association with existing records on alienation, as well as the way in which individuals with mental illness were considered and treated; The descriptive research ends with an invitation to reflect on the evolution of mental health, its path and the influence of ancestors on the current situation. Exploring the relationship between the contexts of each era, the interpretations of mental illness and the treatments applied to the insane, allows us to perceive and relate this reality, with the intention that this article is an invitation to reflect on the experiences obtained. It is concluded that, through the analysis of the past, it is possible to perceive the evolution of the perception of what alienation was and its meanings. In terms of results, it was found that the domain of the subjective existed, associated with the interpretation of indigence and the punitive character of mental illness. It was understood that this reflection leads the individual to rediscover himself, others and the world, regardless of a past that cannot be ignored.

Keywords: History of nursing; Mental disorders; Mental health