Understanding and management of psychological suffering in institutional care units for adolescents

Abstract

Brazilian youth centers are intended for adolescents whose rights are threatened or violated, but it can exacerbate vulnerabilities, including manifestations of psychological distress. This qualitative and hermeneutical research, based on interviews with 14 workers from Brazilian Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) and aimed to investigate the management of crises and psychological distress of adolescents in institutional care. The workers expressed a desire to separate adolescents with mental health problems – an understanding linked to diagnosis – and substance users to services other than the care units of SUAS. The results indicated difficulties in crisis management, medicalization of care, dependence on specialized services, and tension between rules and the needs of young people as generators of suffering. The findings contrast with the SUAS guidelines for institutional care, which provide comprehensive care and integral attention to mental health within the SUAS units themselves.