Behind Walls: Tracing Lives in the Shadows of Psychiatric Institutionalization

Abstract (English)

This study is part of a long-term ethnographic investigation in psychiatric hospitals, initiated in 2016, focusing on public and permanent psychiatric institutionalization and the complexities of deinstitutionalization. By examining the lived experiences of long-term residents—many institutionalized for over 35 years—I analyze how restrictive and coercive environments shape their possibilities for movement and autonomy. The research explores the role of these institutions in broader psychiatric policies and the extent to which deinstitutionalization strategies are effectively implemented. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, I reflect on how the Social Sciences contribute to understanding institutionalized life and rethinking psychiatric care in Brazil. The notions of health and illness are deeply intertwined with economic, political, and social structures, revealing that a closer look at the social realities of institutionalized individuals is key to understanding the persistence of these spaces. Ultimately, the narratives shared by these residents not only expose the contradictions of institutionalization but also serve as a foundation for reimagining policies and practices that foster more humane and viable alternatives to long-term confinement.