The singular and collective dimensions in health and the integration of Mental Health and Worker Health care services: a few SUS initiatives at Betim/MG, Brazil

Abstract

The present paper has as its starting point the awareness of the existence of a gap between the Mental Health and Worker Health fields. It discusses the impact that the theoretical views which provide the basis for the practice of professionals in both fields have upon these care services’ operational logic. The paper also examines how these aspects have hindered the integration between both fields of care for the purpose of dealing with the mental health and work problems that are faced by the health care units in Betim/MG, Brazil. From a research involving interviews with professionals, participation in staff meetings, and collection of documental data, some practices of professionals in one of the Reference Centers for Mental Health and in the Reference Center for Worker Health in Betim have been identified that may represent progress in the integration between these care services. For this purpose, we propose that the “work” category be considered as an important element in overcoming the dichotomy between singular and collective in health, since it is important for understanding cases of mental illness and also for conducting treatment on patients in the health care units.