The Embracement given by Primary Health Care Professionals toPeople in Mental Distress

Abstract

Objective: analyze the embracement provided by Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals to persons in mental distress and their families. Method: a descriptive exploratory study of qualitative approach, corresponding to the first stage of a research-intervention linked to the Programa de Educación para el Trabajo de Salud (PET Saúde), performed with 15 professionals from two PHC units, located in the municipality of Cuiabá, from March to June 2020. Results: it was possible to identify that most of the professionals characterized the reception based on dialogue, stance and attentive and qualified listening, and in their actions were perceived as important for building and strengthening bonds. However, those professionals experience difficulties in taking in people in mental distress, due to the fact that mental health care is still based on the biomedical-psychiatric model. Conclusion: It was shown that most professionals move between psychosocial care and the biomedical-psychiatric model, since their aim is directed to the integrality and singularity of the person in mental distress, but under constant influence of the medicalization gaze. Thus, permanent Health Education Practices are necessary to promote significant changes in PHC services.