Innovative Solutions for Promoting Adolescent Mental Health in Primary Care

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to develop effective alternatives for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of psychosocial disorders in adolescents and their family members. Methods: Two modalities of support groups were developed in a Public Health Unit of Brazlândia, Distrito Federal. The first group was focused on parents and caregivers aiming to help them with the education of their children and give them support to deal with the specific challenges of adolescence. The other group, focused on youngsters as well as caregivers, consisted in the practice of an innovative body-based technique called T.R.E. (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) that is very effective in reducing stress and relieving many symptoms of emotional and behavioral problems. Results: These new activities helped to improve family relationships, reduce conflicts and domestic violence and relieve many psychosocial symptoms observed in the teenagers as well as in their caregivers. This allowed improving the families´ quality of life, preventing mental disorders and reducing teenager’s exposure to risk situations. Furthermore, these groups brought a better problem-solving capacity to the psychosocial demands in a primary care level, avoiding many referrals to specialized services. Conclusion: It is possible to develop effective and low cost alternatives to promote adolescent mental health in a primary care setting. Such measures are very important in order to deal with the main psychosocial demands of adolescence and to prevent the major risk situations observed in this critical period of development.