The challenge of an effective comprehensive care in the Brazilian National Health System sustains a debate about the mMatrix support (MS) for the Family Health Strategy (FHS) while stressing the need for further studies on the subject. This paper aims to critically analyze the matrix support with the aid of scientific papers and documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, especially those directed to mental health (MH) matrix support in primary care. The results emphasize the importance of coordination between the MH and primary care, though they also indicate that MS in MH is encompassed within a health care model that is still under construction and that new theoretical-practical contributions and evaluative studies are needed for its improvement.
Matrix support; Mental health; Primary health care; Family health strategy
