Professional experience during the pandemic period in the mental health service: experience report

Abstract

Introduction: The health emergency that quickly evolved into the global pandemic scenario of covid-19, resulted in changes in people's behavior and habits, in addition to measures by the authorities to contain the contamination by the virus and its various effects. Health systems, in their different levels of care, needed to organize themselves to serve the population, from mild to severe cases and rehabilitation procedures. Objective: This article aims to present the experience of the multidisciplinary team of a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs (CAPS AD) during the pandemic period. Experience Report: The changes in the work process and service flows imposed after it was installed, challenged managers and teams to offer qualified care and assistance, understanding the need for continuity of actions and their alignment with sanitary guidelines. Reconciling the premises of the anti-asylum struggle in mental health and psychosocial rehabilitation work, such as the establishment of bonds, dialogues with the collective and proximity to subjects and their territories, became a major challenge. Discussion: In retrospect, it was perceived through the experience described that one of the possibilities in the face of coronavirus impositions was the strengthening of tools already known in mental health and the focus on networking. However, as much as it is possible to recognize the power that exists in the SUS framework, watching the progressive reduction of investments in the sector and the uncertainty regarding the duration and effects of the pandemic on the health of the population, increase the level of anxiety among workers. Conclusion: Furthermore, there is a need to share the experience so that other devices across the country can recognize their common potential and challenges, in addition to contributing to the literature in the area and becoming a given for the formulation of public policies.