MENTAL HEALTH IN PRIMARY CARE: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the gateway and primary setting for mental health management, accounting for the majority of care in this area. However, the effectiveness of this care is constantly challenged by systemic, professional, and social barriers. This literature review article aims to analyze the main challenges and future prospects for mental health care in the PHC context. The methodology adopted was a narrative literature review, based on articles that address the intersection between Mental Health and Primary Health Care. The results indicate that challenges include the fragmentation of care, manifested in a cycle of consultations and pharmacological treatments with low resolution; the overload and lack of preparation of professionals to deal with complex cases, such as comorbidities and vulnerable populations; and profound health inequities, exacerbated by socioeconomic factors and limited access. Collaborative care models and non-pharmacological interventions, such as social prescribing, emerge as perspectives that aim for a more holistic approach. Furthermore, continuity of care, systematic tracking, and the use of clinical decision support technologies are highlighted as promising strategies to overcome existing barriers. It is concluded that the transformation of mental health care in PHC depends on investments in continuing education, the restructuring of care models to promote comprehensiveness, and the implementation of policies that address social inequalities.