As demandas de um CAPSi: quem são os usuários e como chegam ao serviço

Abstract

This research analyzed and characterized the mental health demands of childhood and adolescence received at “CAPSi Estação Vida”, in addition to the profile of those who sought care at the location. From this study, it is possible to better understand the demand for mental health care, the profile of users who seek or are referred to the service and reflect on the phenomenon of medicalization, the social factors that lead to illness, the reasons for school failure and its consequences in children and adolescents. The factors that lead referral institutions, such as schools, to request mental health services and medications were investigated, identifying the apparatus available in public policy, its legislation, and the historical context in which this phenomenon occurs. The “CAPSi Estação Vida”, located in Barbacena (MG), was the chosen setting for this research because it represents the reality of CAPSi in Brazil, which are concentrated in medium and large cities, being generally unique in their municipalities. These institutions are the reference device for the mental health of children and adolescents, which is why we believe in the need to understand the main demands and the sociocultural context of the population using CAPSi. Based on data collected from the medical records of 515 users admitted to the CAPSi from 02/26/2019 to 02/26/2020, a quantitative approach was made considering sociodemographic, educational, and mental health care-related variables. The average age of CAPSi users was 11.15 years. A higher prevalence of adolescents (51.80%) was found and, in relation to skin color, brown (46.88%), the most present family figure was mothers (81.04%), the average income was 0.56 minimum wages per person in the household and the main complaint for assistance was behavioral problems (58.06%). The main source of referrals were schools (35.4%), whose characteristics of these children and adolescents were studied separately and had a mean age of 9.92 years, most were children (64.29%), male. (67.5%), declared brown (51.85%) and Catholic (87.91%), was attending elementary school, early years (51.65%), and came from state schools (41.21% ), with more frequent complaints about behavior (41.47%) and learning (21.66%). Profiles like those of other studies were found, and the social determinants identified showed a great impact on the disease process in this population. More studies and standardization are needed to guide public policies and improve care provision.