Psychic illness in men in Northeastern Brazil: mental health in debate

Psychic illness, with emphasis on Common Mental Disorders (CMD), is one of the major problems faced today, compromising the health of populations and representing a high burden on public health. However, the incipience of studies focusing on men's health needs within the scope of primary care is notable. This study aims to analyze aspects of vulnerability to common mental disorders in men living in the rural context of municipalities in Paraíba, associated with socioeconomic factors, lifestyles, search for care and mental health. A set of instruments was applied: SRQ-20 (screening of non-psychotic mental disorders); sociodemographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, based on the scene method, with the aim of understanding the meanings that people attribute to the different dimensions of their daily life and, thus, decoding the dimensions of vulnerability, as an analysis method we used thematic analysis. It is evident that a large part of the non-adherence to comprehensive care measures, on the part of men, arises from cultural aspects. They feel strong and invulnerable.