CUCA FRESCA GROUP - MATRIX SUPPORT TEAM PROMOTING HEALTH IN PRIMARY CARE

Introduction and objectives: We work as a matrix support team in a high psychosocial risk territory with great demand for care to vulnerable patients. The Family Health Strategy team asked us to help them deal with this situation. The main problems presented by these patients are: depression, loneliness, poverty, disempowerment, lack of social network, chronic diseases and anxiety. As a strategy we created a support group to respond to this demand. Our goals are: Improve people's life quality and abilities to cope with life challenges; rebuild social support network; promote health and self care. Method: Open group once a week for 1 hour and a half inside the health unit, with the following techniques: talking circle, community therapy, stress manegement, corporal movements, meditation and relaxation. Results: At the end of each meeting we encourage the patients to express their feelings and the impact of the group on their lives. The most used words to express their experience are: peace, friendship, hope, strength, love, happiness, empathy and acceptance. After one year since the beginning of the group most of the patients reffered an improvement of life skills quality, greater social network and a decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms.