Desafios e barreiras na assistência à saúde mental das puérperas

Abstract

This is an integrative literature review. It was possible to structure the following guiding question: “What are the challenges and barriers in mental health care for postpartum women?”. A survey was carried out through the electronic library, the Virtual Health Library (VHL), and the following databases were selected: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Medical Literatures Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). Therefore, the descriptors consulted in the Science and Health Descriptors (DeCS) in September 2023 were used, namely: “Postpartum period”, “Patient Care Team” and “Mental Health”, with the descriptors in English to have a greater approach of studies using the Boolean operator AND between the descriptors when combined. After applying the eligibility criteria, a total of nine selected articles were used. According to the studies found, it reveals a significant complexity that must be understood and addressed in a comprehensive manner. The postpartum period is a crucial transitional period for women, marked by profound hormonal, emotional and social changes. These factors, combined with the demands of new motherhood, can create fertile ground for the development of mental disorders. However, care for these issues still faces substantial obstacles that compromise the effectiveness of the care provided. Mental health care during the postpartum period is a critical issue that demands a comprehensive and coordinated approach, recognizing the multiple dimensions that affect the well-being of new mothers. The need for more effective integration between mental health services and postnatal care is clear, and overcoming existing barriers is crucial to ensuring adequate and timely care.