Brazil youth mental health service shortages

Public mental health services for children and adolescents in Brazil have faced significant operational challenges. In Betim, the termination of nighttime services at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Reference Center (Cersami) raised concerns among families regarding the loss of continuous support for patients with conditions such as autism, ADHD, and psychosis.

In response, the Betim Municipal Health Secretariat announced a reorganization of nighttime services at Cersami to establish defined care flows. While existing patients with specific therapeutic projects requiring overnight stays will continue to receive hospitality and observation under multidisciplinary supervision, new nighttime demands requiring immediate medical intervention will be redirected to other municipal facilities, such as Cersam Betim Central, Cersam Teresópolis, or local Urgent Care Units (UPAs).

Separately, in Rio Branco, the CAPSi Damião Nunes da Costa reported a shortage of psychiatrists. Local health officials described the situation as a “momentary absence of a medical specialist in Psychiatry,” noting that while hiring processes have been conducted, summoned professionals have failed to assume their posts.