Assistência à saúde mental de estudantes universitários: experiências de cuidado na Universidade Federal da Bahia

Abstract

This study analyzed how the Federal University of Bahia has offered mental health care to students. This research was based on a qualitative approach, having an exploratory and descriptive character. The literature review stage considered the productions about mental health care for university students available in a virtual collection, in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), in Latin American Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs) and in International Literature in Health Sciences (MedLine), using the descriptors: assistance, mental health, student and university. The fieldwork was divided into two moments, or two phases: the first began with a survey of the units that make up the University Health System of UFBA (SIUNIS) and the permanent programs and health care services, linked to the university units . This search took place through the SIUNIS website, and then a face-to-face visit was carried out at the units that mentioned the provision of health services to students to verify those that had some action aimed at mental health. In the second phase of data collection, semi-structured interviews were carried out with professionals who coordinate or work in the services and actions of mental health care for students, offered by UFBA. The empirical material was stored in the Ti 9 software for qualitative data analysis, where it was possible to transcribe, organize the material and separate fragments of discourse into thematic categories. For data analysis, the content analysis method was used. Thirteen actions and/or services with activities aimed at caring for the mental health of students at UFBA were identified in the mapping. They are related to SIUNIS units, extension activities, internship activities and research groups. It was observed that bureaucratic and financial difficulties of the University's structure are something that prevents the expansion of services and, in turn, the improvement in the quality of the activities developed. In addition to the characteristics of the services, this study also analyzed the profile of professionals working in mental health care activities, based on their interviewees; and the motivations and symptoms that lead students to seek mental health services at the University. It was found that symptoms related to anxiety, depression and complaints related to the University were the main motivations that led them to seek activities to care for their mental health within UFBA. Finally, we sought to understand the interviewees' conception of comprehensive health care, prevention and health promotion; identifying that, for the most part, they understand the concepts, but that the practices carried out at the University still do not reflect this understanding, especially with regard to the development of actions to promote and prevent the health of students.