Program for the promotion and primary intervention of community mental health in Paraguay

The objective of this program is to promote the promotion, prevention and primary intervention of community mental health in vulnerable groups and native persons of Paraguay, from a psychosocial and rights -based approach. The research was developed in four phases, using qualitative methodology, using semi -structured interview techniques and focus groups with professionals in the field of psychiatry, psychology, anthropology, social work, educators, as well as children, young mothers and fathers of referent families. The participants in this study included two neighborhoods in Encarnacion and three urban indigenous communities in Encarnacion, Asuncion and Ciudad del Este. As a result, the program proposes joint actions at the inter -institutional level to respond to the demand for a comprehensive mental health care of the target population at the community level. For the same reason, it is recommended that the program become a part of the Primary Health Care in the framework of integral health care and other territorial networks of local health care and networks of assurance of rights.