EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY ON PATIENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

Resumo

This epidemiological study analyzed mental health in the Northeast region of Brazil from 2011 to 2021. The results reveal complex intersections of socioeconomic, cultural, demographic, and gender factors significantly impacting the prevalence and causes of mental disorders. The use of psychoactive substances emerged as the leading cause of death, especially among men, highlighting a gap in public policies to mitigate high consumption rates. The relationship between low education and mental morbidity, coupled with economic factors, deepens the understanding of regional disparities. A significant gap was observed in promoting accessibility to mental health services for men, reflecting cultural and social influences inhibiting help-seeking. The age between 50 and 59 stood out as a critical period, with 90.54% of deaths related to mental disorders due to psychoactive substance use. Deficiencies in the mental health system, such as inadequate resource distribution, indicate an urgent need for more inclusive and gender-sensitive policies to effectively address the challenges faced by the Northeastern population.