O cuidado em saúde mental na perspectiva de profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde no município de Votorantim-SP

Abstract

Since the psychiatric reform, research has been developed to study the challenges of providing mental health care in a territorial context and within primary health care, as well as the new ways in which this care can be implemented. However, beyond mapping these practices, it is necessary to promote spaces for dialogue among workers so that they can be realized, as well as to understand the challenges encountered in this implementation. In this regard, this qualitative and participatory exploratory research sought to understand the mental health care provided in Primary Health Care in the city of Votorantim located in the state of São Paulo in Brazil from the perspective of the municipality's health professionals, specifically sensitizing these professionals to new mental health care offerings. To this end, data collection was carried out through a semi-structured script and individual interviews with professionals interested in the topic in four basic health units of the municipality, with this information subsequently analyzed using content analysis techniques. The results pointed to several practices that are carried out in the municipality, but are often not named or valued as mental health care, such as reception and guidance for good health. However, the lack of recognition also seems to be related to several challenges in implementing this care, such as lack of training, lack of professionals, and the difficulty of understanding on the part of management regarding this care. Therefore, based on these results, an educational material was developed that is expected to be an important contribution to the implementation of mental health care in the Primary Care of the Municipality through the strengthening of teams, as well as to contribute to future studies in permanent health education, considering that all mental health care should start at this level of care.