Reducing barriers to mental health care: the experience of the Digital Health Hub at Unifesp, Brazil
1
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO, SANTOS, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A964
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified mental health needs worldwide, disrupted services, and increased the prevalence of anxiety and depression, compounding inequities for groups facing social vulnerability. Prevention and promotion strategies therefore prioritise education, social support, early intervention, and multisectoral collaboration to address social determinants. These priorities align with the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030, which emphasises universal coverage, community-based care, and the reduction of stigma and discrimination through a rights-based approach. Discrimination—including racial and ethnic discrimination—is consistently associated with poorer mental health outcomes and remains a critical equity concern for implementation.
METHODS:
We implemented and evaluated mental health actions within Unifesp’s Digital Health Hub using mixed methods. Quantitative indicators summarised first-year implementation progress, while qualitative thematic analysis examined documents, technical reports, and meeting records to identify salient implementation features.
RESULTS:
The hub supports Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) digital transformation through the inclusion of technological devices, workforce training, and implementation support across care networks and pathways, prioritising mental health and telehealth solutions aligned with the SUS Digital–Telessaúde strategy. To mitigate stigma, gaps in care, and digital exclusion, actions were designed and delivered by professionals with extensive experience in the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS), instituted within SUS as a territorial, community-based network for people with mental distress and substance-related needs. Incorporating territorial support agents from marginalised groups (e.g., people experiencing homelessness, rural and Indigenous communities) facilitated community-based responses to displacement, cultural loss, violence, socioeconomic stress, and geographic, cultural, and language barriers.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital mental health initiatives should expand opportunities for participation and belonging, strengthen community anti-stigma actions, disseminate evidence-based information, invest in continuing education, and address inequalities in technological access. Embedding community members in implementation teams may enhance broad-reaching, culturally safe, non-specialised mental healthcare.
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified mental health needs worldwide, disrupted services, and increased the prevalence of anxiety and depression, compounding inequities for groups facing social vulnerability. Prevention and promotion strategies therefore prioritise education, social support, early intervention, and multisectoral collaboration to address social determinants. These priorities align with the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030, which emphasises universal coverage, community-based care, and the reduction of stigma and discrimination through a rights-based approach. Discrimination—including racial and ethnic discrimination—is consistently associated with poorer mental health outcomes and remains a critical equity concern for implementation.
METHODS:
We implemented and evaluated mental health actions within Unifesp’s Digital Health Hub using mixed methods. Quantitative indicators summarised first-year implementation progress, while qualitative thematic analysis examined documents, technical reports, and meeting records to identify salient implementation features.
RESULTS:
The hub supports Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) digital transformation through the inclusion of technological devices, workforce training, and implementation support across care networks and pathways, prioritising mental health and telehealth solutions aligned with the SUS Digital–Telessaúde strategy. To mitigate stigma, gaps in care, and digital exclusion, actions were designed and delivered by professionals with extensive experience in the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS), instituted within SUS as a territorial, community-based network for people with mental distress and substance-related needs. Incorporating territorial support agents from marginalised groups (e.g., people experiencing homelessness, rural and Indigenous communities) facilitated community-based responses to displacement, cultural loss, violence, socioeconomic stress, and geographic, cultural, and language barriers.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital mental health initiatives should expand opportunities for participation and belonging, strengthen community anti-stigma actions, disseminate evidence-based information, invest in continuing education, and address inequalities in technological access. Embedding community members in implementation teams may enhance broad-reaching, culturally safe, non-specialised mental healthcare.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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