Juventudes e práticas de cuidados sócio comunitários em saúde mental no contexto da pandemia da covid-19

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic emerged intensifying a context of economic, social, and humanitarian crises. In Brazil, this crisis context amplified the multiple inequalities within society and highlighted the precariousness of the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) and the public health and social policies for the population—more specifically, for young people living in situations of social inequality. Considering that, the present study aims to promote a reflection with young people experiencing inequality, focusing on their experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic to understand the mental health care practices they developed during the health crisis. This is a participatory research study conducted with young people aged 16 to 18 who accessed services at a Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) and attended high school at a nearby State School in the Linhares neighborhood of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais (MG). Data were collected through participant observation, field notes, and discussion groups. The analysis of the data was carried out using thematic content analysis, unfolding into five categories: emotions and mental health in times of pandemic; social distancing and its impacts on family and friendship relationships; school and the return to the classes; technology and social media; and networked relationships and mental health care during the pandemic. This study made it possible to analyze the importance of considering emotions and friendships in mental health care, as well as to highlight the need for services and public policies aimed at youth that are contextualized, collective, and participatory.