Abstract

Introduction:

National and international debates point to the importance and necessity of mental health care in primary health care and discuss the main challenges and propositions.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to identify and analyze what has been produced in the national scientific literature on mental health care practices in primary health care from a systematic literature review.

Method:

The review was carried out in the Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences database (LILACS), of which 19 articles were eligible to be included in the study, according to the inclusion criteria adopted.

Results:

Six themes that were most frequently addressed in studies were identified: professional training and qualification; Biomedical model, medicalizing and excluding; Specialty of care; User, family and support network; Powers in the territory; Possibilities and challenges. From the results presented, the difficulties that permeate the care practices in Mental Health in Primary Health Care offered to users in psychological distress are evident.

Conclusion:

These results, in addition to causing concern, reveal the need for investment in effective and comprehensive care practices, supported by Mental Health and Primary Health Care Public Policies.

Keywords:
Mental Health; Primary Health Care; Care Practices