Diagnostic evaluation for the strengthening of strategies of intervention in mental health in Argentina

Abstract

The study shows the main findings from a diagnostic evaluation upon strategies, planning and services for mental health care in Argentina. With an extensive qualitative and quantitative design and a multicentric and collaborative character, the study has incorporated several theoretical and methodological contributions and information primary and secondary sources. It has worked in five areas that had legislation for mental health in 2007: Río Negro, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, San Juan, Santa Fe and Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. It intended to produce knowledge to stimulate the debate and give a priority status to mental health in the agenda of health policies. Taking into account, as a reference, the principles that gave impulse to the international processes to reform the attention in mental health, it is important to point out that Argentina do not have, yet, a national law for mental health. The expansion of services in mental health, articulated to primary care, shows a consistent direction assumed by the sanitary policies. Exception made to Río Negro, in the remaining jurisdictions there is a dual model that overlaps the hospital centered care in mental health, together with incipient strategies and alternative devices, inserted in the communitarian life. The very little epidemiological information created an elusive panorama that makes impossible to reach the core of the main problems, or give a priority attendance to the most vulnerable population.