Psychosocial attention of children and adolescents: Interfaces with the health network by the referral and counter-referral system

Abstract

Objective: describing the characteristics of the articulation between the services that compose the mental health network of children and adolescents, through the referral and counter-referral system. Method: descriptive study developed in 25 services, based on information obtained from self-administered questionnaires applied to coordinators through the Ministry of Health electronic system. Data organization and descriptive analysis were performed in the Stata statistical program version 12.0. Results: the existence of referral and counter-referral systems are evidenced between the basic healthcare and psychosocial healthcare centers for children and adolescents, and a partnership with other mental-health services and expanded care. However, psychiatric hospitals are still used as a reference for treatment, among other limitations, such as difficulties in dealing with mental health demands due to recurrent referrals and inexperience in this type of care/treatment. Conclusion: emergency services for children and adolescent mental healthcare which meet the expectations of the psychosocial paradigm need new practices that may contribute to strengthening actions in this scenario. Such actions should be based on a referral system that can demonstrate effectiveness among the healthcare network in order to promote comprehensive and continuous care focused on strengthening the psychosocial care network.