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Mental health during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood: a critical analysis of Brazilian public policy

Abstract

Background

Pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood are moments of family life that involve transformations and a challenge in terms of health care assistance.

Objective

We sought to critically analyze Brazilian public health policies related to mental health issues during this family developmental stage.

Method

This is an exploratory and analytical, document-based study. Thirteen documents from the Ministry of Health were analyzed using two previously established thematic categories: 1) conceptions of mental health and 2) agents and practices involved in mental health care.

Results

While the terms mental health and humanization were used extensively, there was little clarity regarding their definitions and applications. The multidisciplinary team was highlighted, but the professionals who should make it up and the training to work in this area were inadequately defined.

Conclusion

We propose a differentiation between the fields of humanization and mental health care for pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood, highlighting the role of psychologists and the need for greater proximity between research and public health policy.

Keywords:
mental health; pregnancy; childbirth; public policy; maternal-child health services

Instituto de Estudos em Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Avenida Horácio Macedo, S/N, CEP: 21941-598, Tel.: (55 21) 3938 9494 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: cadernos@iesc.ufrj.br