Community psychiatry in Portugal: a critical review

Abstract

The mental health system in Portugal evolved from an institutional-centred system to a community-based system,a process which began in 1998 and has gathered pace since 2006. The approval and implementation of the Portuguese Mental Health Law and the Portuguese NationalMental Health Care Plan has contributed to the implementation of institutions and regulations aimed atdecentralized, local and less restrictive models of care. The implementation and evolution process has beensteady and gradual, introducing many of the envisioned changes whilst adapting existing mental healthinstitutions and services. The current article describes this transition process, attempting to identify the strengths and weaknessesof the Portuguese Mental Health System from a community-centred perspective.

Keywords

• portugal
• mental health
• deinstitutionalization
• community psychiatry
• mental health services