Speakers - WNSC 2025

Abstract

The role of nurses in mental health matrix support is fundamental for the integration and qualification of care in health services. Matrix support is a technical and educational support strategy that aims to expand the care capacity of primary care teams, enabling a more comprehensive and humanized approach to mental health cases in the community. In this context, nurses play a central role, both in coordinating care and in facilitating collaborative practices between the family health team and professionals specializing in mental health.

Firstly, the nurse acts as a point of reference for the early identification of mental health demands in primary care. With direct and frequent contact with the community, nurses carry out initial assessments that can reveal signs and symptoms of mental disorders, as well as dealing with situations of emotional distress, problematic substance use, and psychosocial crises. This proximity allows for a more effective welcome and facilitates communication between users and the health system, promoting access to specialized services when necessary.

In matrix support, nurses also play the role of educators, helping to train the primary care team in the management of mental health problems. By receiving technical support from specialists, nurses acquire and share knowledge and practices that increase the team's capacity to respond, promoting more qualified and humanized care. This educational process involves the transfer of information on diagnosis, psychosocial interventions, active listening techniques, and welcoming practices, which are essential for the daily care of users.

As well as helping to train the team, the nurse in matrix support helps to draw up unique therapeutic projects (PTS). These projects are personalized care plans that take into account the individual needs of each user, integrating different approaches and resources from the health network. The nurse works together with the interdisciplinary team to build these projects, ensuring that the care strategies are viable and appropriate to the user's context. In this way, they help coordinate the actions of different professionals, linking care between levels of care and facilitating continuity of care.

Another important aspect is the nurse's role as a liaison officer with the community and the user's family. The nurse promotes actions that seek to sensitize the community to mental health issues and combat stigma, as well as strengthening the role of families in supporting the user. This articulation work is essential for creating support networks that guarantee continuity of care outside the healthcare environment, especially in cases of chronic mental disorders that require ongoing support.
In matrix support, the nurse also plays the role of interlocutor between mental health services, such as the Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) and primary care. They facilitate the flow of information and referrals between these services, ensuring that the user receives the necessary care without interruptions or mismatches between the teams. This mediation work is crucial for building a functional and integrated mental health network.