Introduction: Austerity, Vulnerability, and the Silent Crisis Psychological distress, manifested as Common Mental Disorders (CMD), is intrinsically linked to social vulnerability and austerity policies. Nursing cannot ignore that factors such as low income, unemployment, and prejudice increase the risk of symptoms like anxiety, depression, and feelings of worthlessness. Our practice must go beyond the individual clinic: it is ethical and political.
Authority Axis 1: From Trauma to Social Transformation Instead of focusing solely on individual symptoms, we propose an approach that recognizes the “double burden” of malnutrition, chronic stress, and structural violence as causes of distress.
- Nursing as an Agent of Change: The nurse, at the center of the multidisciplinary team, must position themselves as an agent who translates the needs of communities (Quilombolas, Indigenous peoples, children, the elderly) into care strategies that break through structures of oppression and structural racism. Our focus is to empower the virtues of these populations through new experiences and practices that promote a livable life.
Authority Axis 2: Community Rapid Response Models The article highlights the value of Integrated Care and the use of strategies such as music therapy and psychosocial intervention in specific territories.
- Our Leadership in Public Health: Nursing expertise is manifested in the implementation of effective public health programs, such as primary care and CAPS (Psychosocial Care Centers), which are essential for promoting health and preventing chronic diseases in at-risk populations (such as chronic alcohol users). It is the nurse who is capable of developing and applying these interventions in the community, ensuring that access to mental health services is a reality, not an obstacle.
Conclusion: The future of mental health in Brazil depends on strengthening the SUS (Unified Health System) and Nursing’s commitment to acting within local territories. By integrating clinical care with an ethical-political perspective, we confirm our contribution of great significance to a fairer and more humane health system.
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