La Santé Mentale dans les Soins Primaires: l'intersectorialité dans les soins de santé mentale dans l'État de São Paulo

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze and discuss intersectoral articulations of primary health care services in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to respond to needs linked to mental health promotion and to mental suffering care. With this purpose, a quantitative and descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out through a telephone survey in Primary Health Care (PC) services in the State. The data were analyzed according to the size of the municipality, types of primary care units, presence of a mental health professional in the unit and participation in Psychosocial Care Network meetings in their region. The results indicate that only 63.2% of basic care units have had some intersectoral coordination for the management of mental health situations. The most frequently mentioned articulation between units were with social assistance network equipments, followed by that with educational institutions. However, the nature of this articulation showed some fragility, insofar as it was more focused on referrals and guidance than on regular joint meetings. It is proposed the need for increase of more articulations with diversified equipment focused on psychosocial care, such as with sports units, culture and income generation groups. There is also a need for greater intentionality of management in the implementation of dialogical spaces between different sectors in order to achieve a more powerful and effective intersectoral articulation. Key words: Mental health. Primary care. Health services. Intersectoral collaboration. Health survey.