Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T13:56:15.253Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Updating the Portuguese Mental Health Plan: a Swot Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

M. Xavier
Affiliation:
Mental Health, Health Directorate General, Lisbon, Portugal
P. Mateus
Affiliation:
Mental Health, Health Directorate General, Lisbon, Portugal
A. Carvalho
Affiliation:
Mental Health, Health Directorate General, Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

Over the past decades, the organisation and management of mental health services in Portugal underwent an evolution similar to that of other European countries, going from an initial psychiatric hospital-centred phase, gradually establishing integration with primary healthcare, to the adoption of the current model, based on the principles of community psychiatry.

Objectives

To assess the implementation of the Mental Health Plan 2007-2016 in Portugal trough the perspective of the involved stakeholders.

Methods

A SWOT analysis was carried out by professionals working at public, private and social institutions in mainland Portugal. Participants focused on structural reforms and on the identification of barriers to implementation.

Results

The SWOT analysis showed (in short summary): Strengths - Plan based on solid scientific and epidemiological grounds, collaboration with social sector; Weaknesses - Lack of dedicated task force, budget allocation; Opportunities - Integration with other health reforms, link with primary care, link with WHO, participation in the EU Joint Action; Threats - Stigma, reduced autonomy, political priorities.

Conclusions

Notwithstanding multiple efforts, some issues remain unresolved and pose powerful and persistent challenges to the advancement of mental health care in Portugal. These include problems related to a funding system that encourages institutionalisation and rejects the promotion of care provided within the community, as well as those resulting from a management model for mental health services that continues to hamper the rational and responsible management of existing resources.

Type
Article: 1390
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2015
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.