Capoeira como dispositivo de cuidado em um caps ad: expressões afrorreferenciada no campo da saúde mental

This article analyzes the impact of capoeira as a care device in the field of mental health at a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs (CAPS AD) in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Based on a qualitative and retrospective study conducted within a graduate program in Brazil, the research employed the cartographic method to follow subjective and collective processes produced in a group that incorporated capoeira as an expressive language and Afro-referenced bodily practice. The experience was documented through field diaries and photographs. Capoeira, understood as a cultural and Afro-referenced bodily practice, proved to be a powerful tool for fostering listening, bonding, and the reconstruction of subjective narratives—especially for Black and marginalized individuals experiencing psychological distress related to the intense use of alcohol and other drugs—as well as for strengthening support networks. As an Afro-referenced expression of care, capoeira contributes to deinstitutionalization and the recognition of cultural practices as legitimate devices of mental health care. The article offers a critical reflection on the intersection of art, health, and culture in the daily routines of CAPS services.