Abstract

Introduction: Psychiatric emergency care in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil faces challenges such as lack of professional training and standardized protocols. PHC is essential in the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS), but work overload and stigma associated with mental disorders impact the quality of care. This study analyzes the profile of emergency outpatient psychiatric care in PHC in Brazil (2015-2024). Methodology: Integrative and descriptive literature review. Data collection in the SCIELO, PubMed, LILACS and Google Scholar databases, using descriptors such as “Primary Health Care”, “Psychiatric Emergency”, “Mental Health Services”, “Professional Training”. Inclusion criteria: articles in Portuguese and English, published from 2015 to 2024, related to emergency outpatient psychiatric care in PHC. Results: The initial search resulted in 261 publications, with 13 articles included in the review. The prevalent themes were: “Profile and Characteristics of Emergency Outpatient Care in Psychiatry”, “Challenges of PHC in Managing Psychiatric Emergency Demands” and “Potential and Strategies for Comprehensiveness and Quality of Mental Health Care”. The studies point to the presence of mood disorders and substance use, the need for family support, the lack of professional training and the importance of networking. Final considerations: PHC has the potential to deal with psychiatric emergencies, but it faces structural and organizational challenges. It is essential to invest in professional training, standardized protocols and integrated public policies to improve the comprehensiveness and quality of mental health care. Future studies should expand the evidence base and investigate different socioeconomic realities.

Keywords

primary health care, psychiatric emergency, mental health services, professional training, mental health, primary care