This study is an integrative literature review that aims to identify and analyze the characteristics of assistance practices in mental health Primary Health Care in Brazil. The sample consisted in nine articles, from databases consulted in the period between 2001 and 2009. In data analyses, results were grouped in two themes: activities and principles of psychiatric reform. Results show that even when the substitute services adopt some activities/principles from psychiatric reform, yet there is a valorization of physician-focused activities, which lead to a persistence of the old paradigms and practices. The multidisciplinary team of mental health, needs to restructure its assistance and its knowledge, so that practices focused on the principles of psychiatric reform can be permanent.
Mental health; Health care reform; Nursing
