CARE PATHWAYS PROJECT (CPP) THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH WORKERS FOR A BETTER MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Introduction and Objectives The Health Ministry (HM) in Brazil has identified difficulties of Primary Health Care to welcome and care for patients with mental disorders and in harmful use of drugs. To overcome it the HM proposed The Care Pathways Project, a course to overcome prejudice and transform these workers practice. The Project is part of a National Plan "Crack can be overcome", based on policies of comprehensive care to people who make harmful use of drugs. The main objective was to train approximately 290,000 workers of PHC to care for people in use of drugs through a defined set of strategies in order to facilitate access and inclusion of these patients in the health system. Methods Classes have been offered once a week, 8 hours-day for five consecutive weeks in all 27 States and one Federal District. The course includes three axis: (1) territory, the health care network and practices in mental health policy. (2) The role and toolbox in mental health of PHC workers. (3) Psychiatric reform, the use of harm reduction technique and the existing mental health services network Results and Conclusions By December 2015, 292.899 vacancies had been offered. These workers are detecting situations they had never noticed before and are open minded to welcome and care psychiatric patients and drug users. After receiving information to care for people in psychological distress and drug users based on Harm Reduction they can help improve access and provide a more appropriate care for these patients and their families.