Grupos comunitários juvenis: promoção da saúde mental e desenvolvimento de capacidades

In contexts of high socioeconomic vulnerability and psychosocial risk, communities are recognized as active agents, generating strategies to respond to their problems and needs in mental health. This research aimed to understand the role of community youth groups in prevention and promotion in mental health. The hermeneutic method has been adopted. Participated 6 youth groups of sport, cultural, artistic and religious character. Focal groups were conducted with the members and semi-structured interviews with the leaders. It was found that the groups are presented as strategies to prevent damage in a context of risk, and for the promotion of mental health through capacity development. These capacities are related to the use of free time, recreation and leisure, the establishment of meaningful links, moral refl ection, the formation of talents, the strengthening of the character and the projection into the future. It was concluded that investing in the strengthening of community strategies consolidates bases for the development of young people, offering alternatives of choice that allow them to build meaningful lives for themselves, develop capacities and have the freedom to be architects of their history.