The mental health concept for health professionals

a cross-sectional and qualitative study

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to investigate and compare the mental health concept for professionals working in different services of the public health network. Method: This is a qualitative study conducted in 2017. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 professionals from the aforementioned services of an inner city of São Paulo State. To analyze the data, a thematic analysis was undertaken. Results:  We identified two categories: Integral Perspective; Psychiatric Symptoms and Disease. Most of the participants presented a comprehensive and integral mental health conceptualization and related it to well-being, but some interviewees from the specialist and emergency room referred to the absence of illness and psychiatric symptoms to exemplify the term. Conclusion: these results relate to the health approach adopted by the World Health Organization and Brazilian Unified Health System. Strategies to bring professionals from different services together in a network perspective may be essential to broaden this discussion and consolidate a broader health perspective.