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Mental health in primary health care: practices of the family health team

The inclusion of mental health care actions in the context of the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS; Sistema Único de Saúde) contributes to the consolidation of the Brazilian Psychiatric reform and demands redirecting the practices of family health teams with users with mental health needs. The objective of this study is to identify and analyze the scientific production and actions developed by family health team professionals in mental health care. Systematic analysis originated the following themes: home visits to mentally ill patients and their relatives; attachment and welcoming; referrals; therapeutic workshops. In conclusion, the mental health actions developed in primary care are not performed consistently and depend on the professional or on the political decision of the administrator, which shows that professionals should use new practices to develop comprehensive care, and, therefore, there is a need to invest in improving the qualification of the professionals.

Family health; Mental health; Primary health care; Patient care team; Psychiatric nursing


Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419 , 05403-000 São Paulo - SP/ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 3061-7553, - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: reeusp@usp.br