Mental Health Indicators and Coverage of the Psychosocial Care Network for Indigenous Populations in Ceará in Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the coverage of the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS) and mental health indicators in municipalities in Ceará with and without indigenous populations. Different public databases on the situation and mental health services offered by the Unified Health System (SUS) were used. Descriptive analyses and the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests were carried out. It was observed that the coverage of Primary Care and some of the Psychosocial Care Network are more present in municipalities with indigenous settlements. This backup of services does not prevent the aggravating prevalence of mental health indicators (deaths by suicide, suicide by self-inflicted violence, suicide by exogenous intoxication) in municipalities with indigenous populations. In dialogue with indigenous authors, violence, discrimination, and erasure based on colonization still impact the mental health of indigenous people, as seen in the health outcome indicators presented. Health services still need to advance in coverage and action to focus on this alarming reality of mental health indicators for indigenous populations.