Mental health within primary health care and Global Mental Health: International perspectives and Brazilian context

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical analysis on the integration of mental health within primary care from the perspective of the objectives and strategies of Global Mental Health (GMH). This task is divided into two parts. The first part is dedicated to international review studies on the subject and the second deals with Brazilian regulatory and scientific publications about the issue. The international studies corroborate the integration of mental health within primary health care (PHC) as a fundamental strategy for reaching the goals of GMH. In the Brazilian scenario, this topic is important for policies and research within mental health, but the objective of this integration and the ways in which it is put into operation require better definition. We conclude by pointing out some obstacles that prevent PHC from occupying a strategic role regarding mental health actions within the Brazilian National Health System (SUS).