Mental health care in the family health strategy: Unrecognized resources

Abstract

Family Health Strategy (FHS) is one of the foundations of Primary Health Care. FHS offers a decentralized assistance in its referred territories, and attends different types of demands, including issues of mental health. This research aimed to make meanings with FHS professionals about their resources for mental health care. Thus, groups of discussion were conducted with these professionals in a town located in the state of São Paulo. Qualitative procedures of thematic analysis were conducted with the material, based on social constructionist contributions. This analysis highlights important technical and relational resources of the team regarding their practices with mental health, even though these resources were apparently little legitimized in their daily work. The need to create contexts for reflection among healthcare professionals where they can make new meanings about their actions is discussed. This may contribute to enhance the quality of mental health assistance in Primary Health Care.