Tecendo o cuidado em saúde mental no território sob a ótica de agentes comunitários: uma pesquisa participante

Abstract

Mental health care is a transversal component of Primary Health Care (PHC), where Community Health Workers (CHWs) act as key mediators between health services and the community. Their close connection to the territory enables them to recognize subjective and intersubjective demands related to psychological distress and to contribute to mental health promotion and prevention actions. Nurses also play a central role by providing clinical qualification, specialized listening, and interprofessional coordination, thereby strengthening psychosocial care within PHC. This study aimed to understand CHWs’ perceptions of mental health in PHC and to develop a formative intervention based on the findings. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive social research design was employed, grounded in the participatory research framework. Data were collected through focus groups, processed using IRaMuTeQ, and analyzed through Thematic Content Analysis. Findings revealed gaps in CHWs’ training for early recognition of psychological distress, while also highlighting strengths related to their territorial bond. The results emphasize the need for ongoing educational processes integrated with the work of nurses and the multiprofessional team, in order to enhance the quality of mental health care within PHC.