Adult Shelter Unit: Experiences within a Government Policy Proposal (Experience Report)

Abstract

In 2023, the city government of Rio de Janeiro proposed compulsory hospitalization to "deal with" people experiencing homelessness who refuse outreach from health teams. Based on a bibliographic review of the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform, a mapping of policies that have shaped care for alcohol and other drugs and, consequently, the Psychosocial Care Network as well as field notes from an internship, this study aims to highlight the practices of an Adult Reception Unit located in the northern zone of Rio de Janeiro. This service operates within the field of Alcohol and Other Drugs and provides Transitional Residential Care for users of the network who may be experiencing homelessness. The results made it possible to discuss the contributions to anti-asylum (deinstitutionalized) care in a context marked by compulsory hospitalization in the city, as well as the challenges faced by the service. It is concluded that participation in public events and activities developed in workshops demonstrated that the Unit studied makes a strong and meaningful contribution to anti-asylum care.