ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON: SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE, BARRIERS TO ACCESS, AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO THE BEST PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT

Abstract

This article analyzes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the Brazilian Amazon by connecting scientific evidence, access barriers and the constitutional right to the best available mental health treatment. The study examines whether the lack of specialized public ECT services is compatible with the principles of universality, comprehensiveness and equity in the Brazilian Unified Health System. The method is a narrative legal-bioethical and documentary review based on constitutional law, mental health legislation, professional regulation, recent scientific literature and a public recommendation from the Federal Prosecution Service in Amazonas. The article concludes that, when clinically indicated and performed with anesthesia, protocols, consent and trained teams, ECT may form part of high-complexity mental health care, while its lack of public availability in the Amazon can deepen inequalities.