Introduction: Mental disorders constitute a significant global burden and the lack of access to and use of health services is a concern, due to the worsening of this problem, which can lead to disabilities. In this context, it is important to understand the challenges and strategies for strengthening mental health care in primary care. Objective: To analyze the access of the Brazilian population to mental health services in primary care, seeking to highlight the successful experiences and the difficulties pointed out by these studies for the reception and monitoring of these users. Method: An integrative review of the scientific literature was carried out. Studies published between 2001 and 2022 were included. The selected studies were analyzed in detail, critically and, in order to present the main information obtained from them, they were organized through a table and subsequently discussed. Results: Access to primary care for people with mental disorders has been fragmented, due to factors such as insufficient numbers of mental health professionals and specialists, inadequate training and skills of the workforce, fragmented care network, as well as negative attitudes and stigma towards mental illness. Conclusion: It was concluded that investing in training and education of the workforce in the identification and management of mental disorders in primary care, so that they can offer comprehensive and coordinated care, is essential to address the huge gap in the treatment of these mental illnesses. These training programs and tools, together with the continued support of specialized mental health services to the primary care health team, are the only way forward to meet the care needs of these users, integrating their mental and physical health offerings to ensure adequate access to care.
França et al. (Wed,) studied this question.