DRUG POLICIES AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: SCOPE REVIEW

Abstract

The study aimed to identify research on the development of drug policies for children and adolescents in the context of public mental health. A scoping review was carried out between July and August 2021 in the VHL, SciELO, Scopus and PubMed databases, using the descriptors drugs, mental health, adolescent and child. These articles were included, selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, published between 2011 and 2021. The analysis of drug policies for children and adolescents in the context of mental health revealed an implementation process that varies between guidelines compatible with psychosocial care and a fragmented and "tutelary" approach. It is concluded that mental health services must guarantee comprehensive and welcoming psychosocial care for children and adolescents, guaranteeing comprehensive assistance that meets the needs of this group as subjects of rights.