mental health counselling in primary health care

This book is the result of a bibliographical survey that sought to discuss the role of the psychologist in the development of matrix support actions in primary health care involving mental health services. Its objectives are to discuss the emergence of the Unified Health System, to understand the implementation of the Family Health Programmes, to analyse the link between primary care and mental health substitute services, to understand what mental health matrix support is: its proposals and challenges and, finally, to describe the role of the psychologist in developing mental health matrix support actions in primary health care. As a result, it can be seen that there are many difficulties in implementing the matrix support model in Primary Health Care Units, but this model can be a tool for the potential development of actions that contribute to health promotion and especially to the reintegration of people with mental suffering into the community context; and here the psychologist has a lot to offer, requiring adequate training for this professional, focused on public policies and this new way of producing health.