Mental Health Policy in Brazil and Australia: Challenges for a Dignified and Effective Approach to Individuals with Mental Disorders

Edited book (chapter)

Nunes, Barbara Domingues, Bellini, Maria Isabel Barros, Edwards, Niki, King, Julie and Darracott, Ros. 2025. "Mental Health Policy in Brazil and Australia: Challenges for a Dignified and Effective Approach to Individuals with Mental Disorders." Bellini, Maria Isabel Barros and Arena, Fernanda Xavier (ed.) Work, Health and Intersectoriality: the production of scientific knowledge as a challenge and resistance. Brazil. Alexa Cultural. pp. 169-187
Chapter Title

Mental Health Policy in Brazil and Australia: Challenges for a Dignified and Effective Approach to Individuals with Mental Disorders

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
Book TitleWork, Health and Intersectoriality: the production of scientific knowledge as a challenge and resistance
AuthorsNunes, Barbara Domingues, Bellini, Maria Isabel Barros, Edwards, Niki, King, Julie and Darracott, Ros
EditorsBellini, Maria Isabel Barros and Arena, Fernanda Xavier
Page Range169-187
Chapter Number10
Number of Pages19
Year2025
PublisherAlexa Cultural
Place of PublicationBrazil
ISBN9788554674786
Abstract

This article is the result of a bibliographic and documentary survey conducted by researchers from Brazil and Australia on the mental health policies of both countries, identifying gaps, progress, and challenges. It is organized as follows: subsection 2 addresses the place of “madness” in the history of humanity, outlining approaches from influential authors on the subject; subsection 3 presents the Brazilian mental health policy with emphasis on processes of struggle and resistance and on setbacks; subsection 4 presents the Australian mental health policy with emphasis on the network of mental health services as well as the complexity in accessing these services. The structure of the article adheres to the sequence developed by the authors, focusing on what issues they considered most important to address regarding mental health policy in their respective countries. The differences in approach between the countries did not enable each section to have identical subtitles with pre-established content. It is intended that this article stimulates other contributions on a theme that involves a vulnerable population segment that has historically had its rights violated in approaches and treatments that do not meet their needs. The authors of this article are academics and researchers with professional experience in the mental health field.

Keywordsmental health policy; resistance; Brazil; Australia; mental health services
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020440999. Social work not elsewhere classified
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Byline AffiliationsSanta Catarina State University, Brazil
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