Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Nos últimos anos, tem sido verificado o aumento da prevalência das perturbações mentais, em particular nos mais jovens, estimando-se que 1 em cada 5 adolescentes poderão desenvolver uma perturbação mental (OMS, 2001; Stuart, 2006; Noryhamptonshire County Council, 2007). A falta de conhecimentos adequados acerca das questões de saúde mental (Stuart, 2006) é uma realidade que engloba o público em geral, porém os jovens são considerados o público-alvo de eleição para as ações de promoção de saúde mental, uma vez que serão a próxima geração de profissionais e prestadores de cuidados.
Nesse sentido, as intervenções sustentadas pelos conceitos de literacia em saúde mental e estigma apresentam maiores níveis de eficácia (Rickwood, Cavanagh, Curtis & Sakrouge, 2004; Campos & Palha, 2010). Importa investir neste tipo de iniciativas, já que a saúde mental assume um papel preponderante na manutenção da prosperidade, estabilidade social e económica dos países europeus (OMS, 2010).
A presente investigação, integrada no projeto “Abrir Espaço á Saúde Mental”, apresenta como objetivo geral a exploração dos conhecimentos, do estigma e das necessidades demonstradas por adolescentes que frequentam o 9º ano de escolaridade.
Foi realizado um focus groups, a partir de um guião previamente construído e uma ficha sociodemográfica, junto de 11 jovens. Os discursos dos jovens foram analisados segundo os princípios da “Análise de Conteúdo”, possibilitando a construção de um sistema de categorias. Os principais resultados obtidos indicaram um nível de literacia em saúde mental satisfatório, o que parece relacionar-se com discursos menos estigmatizantes. Relativamente às ações pró-saúde mental, os participantes demonstraram interesse na aquisição de mais conhecimentos sobre o tema tendo contribuído com sugestões para a configuração das mesmas.
Os resultados da presente dissertação contribuem para a construção do questionário de avaliação da literacia em saúde mental e para o desenvolvimento de ações de promoção de saúde mental integradas no projeto “Abrir espaço à saúde mental”.
In view of the increasing prevalence of mental disorders, especially in the Youngers, it is estimated that 1 in 5 teenagers will develop a mental disorder (WHO, 2001; Stuart, 2006; Noryhamptonshire County Council, 2007). For this reason and due to lack of adequate knowledge of mental health issues (Stuart, 2006), young people are considered the main target audience for actions to promote mental health, since they represent the next generation of professionals and care providers Thus, interventions, sustained by the concepts of mental health literacy and stigma have higher levels of efficacy Rickwood, Cavanagh, Curtis & Sakrouge, 2004; Fields & Straw, 2010); contributing to the maintenance of prosperity, social and economic stability of countries in the coming decades (WHO, 2010). This research is integrated into the project "Finding Space to Mental Health" and the general objective is the exploration of knowledge, stigma and needs demonstrated by adolescents attending the 9th grade. The method for collecting data in this work was done through a focus group, based in a previously constructed script and a socio-demographic data sheet filled in by 11 youngsters. The speeches were analyzed according to the principles of “Content Analysis” which led to the construction of a system of categories. The main outcomes measured, showed that these young people have a level of satisfactory mental health literacy, which seems to be reflected in the lower incidence of stigma in their speeches. Regarding the actions pro-mental health, participants show up interested in obtaining more knowledge on the topic and contribute suggestions for setting them.
In view of the increasing prevalence of mental disorders, especially in the Youngers, it is estimated that 1 in 5 teenagers will develop a mental disorder (WHO, 2001; Stuart, 2006; Noryhamptonshire County Council, 2007). For this reason and due to lack of adequate knowledge of mental health issues (Stuart, 2006), young people are considered the main target audience for actions to promote mental health, since they represent the next generation of professionals and care providers Thus, interventions, sustained by the concepts of mental health literacy and stigma have higher levels of efficacy Rickwood, Cavanagh, Curtis & Sakrouge, 2004; Fields & Straw, 2010); contributing to the maintenance of prosperity, social and economic stability of countries in the coming decades (WHO, 2010). This research is integrated into the project "Finding Space to Mental Health" and the general objective is the exploration of knowledge, stigma and needs demonstrated by adolescents attending the 9th grade. The method for collecting data in this work was done through a focus group, based in a previously constructed script and a socio-demographic data sheet filled in by 11 youngsters. The speeches were analyzed according to the principles of “Content Analysis” which led to the construction of a system of categories. The main outcomes measured, showed that these young people have a level of satisfactory mental health literacy, which seems to be reflected in the lower incidence of stigma in their speeches. Regarding the actions pro-mental health, participants show up interested in obtaining more knowledge on the topic and contribute suggestions for setting them.