Integral nursing for an individual with a mental disorder requires care, management and educational skills to improve the quality of life of the patient.

Describes a health education experience in caring for an individual with psychic suffering.

Activities were developed at a psychosocial care center in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil, with students in the third year of nursing school. Three sessions were held on the topic “self-efficacy in the use of psychoactive drugs”. Related factors, such as motivation, self-esteem and support, were chosen by the participants and discussed at each weekly session.

In the discussion groups, the students were able to exercise care based on the exchange of knowledge with the patients who use the service. The ties established in each session enabled the identification of the specific needs of each individual, such as the desire to learn how to improve one's self-esteem, and the active participation of the patients.

The experiences assisted the students in developing the role of the nurse as an educator. The group actions underscored the importance of the skill of health education among nurses.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.