A partir de uma série de experiências de trabalho em situações de desastre, notadamente na região serrana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, no início de 2011, este artigo pretende contribuir com a reflexão a respeito da atuação do psicólogo em um contexto de desastres. Inicia-se por uma breve retomada histórico-institucional da questão no Brasil, para, então, apresentar algumas reflexões conceituais e práticas da saúde mental a esse respeito; e, por fim, discutir princípios e diretrizes de intervenção em situações de desastre, tendo como pano de fundo o cenário fluminense de janeiro de 2011. Pretende-se, com isso, argumentar que a intervenção do psicólogo num contexto de desastres deve ser articulada com outras instâncias, contextualizada e descolada da noção de traumatismo como principal operador da clínica.

Through the description of two examples of psychological interventions in humanitarian emergencies, this article aims to problematize the work of the psychologist in those situations. The concepts of "humanitarianism" and "emergency" are discussed based on two interventions made in Haiti and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In both countries the mental health interventions happened inside a humanitarian organization and the objective of those interventions was to offer psychosocial support to the population of concern through a national mental health team. Cultural specificities, as well as theoretical and methodological challenges to the work of the psychologist in those situations are presented, especially those related to moral issues, to gender-based conflicts and to the insertion of the psychological work in a context where there is very little institutional support. Considerations related to theories and techniques of the area are presented, emphasizing the importance of interpreting the contents of the discourses taking into account the culture from where each person comes.

This is a reflection on the contributions made over the last 14 years by Didier Fassin, in his analysis of issues raised by the phenomenon of migration in contemporary times, especially in France. He regards it as fundamental to comprehend the political uses behind the advent of 'humanitarian reason' and the 'empire of trauma', which underpin society today, in order to understand the suffering caused by large and small crises and the way social forces related to them act. Drawing on Foucault's concepts of biopolitics and biopower, Fassin makes a critical appraisal of the aid and assistance provided for society's 'unwanted' and their lifestyles, marked by social inclusion and exclusion via the body and trauma.

Resumo: Eventos críticos (EC) são eventos que dão início a uma cadeia de incidentes, resultando em uma situação de desastre, a menos que um sistema de segurança interfira para evitá-lo ou minimizá-lo. Este artigo apresenta um relato de experiência durante um EC em que psicólogas elaboraram a estratégia de gestão da atenção psicossocial e saúde mental decorrente do incêndio na boate Kiss, ocorrido em 2013, na cidade de Santa Maria (RS). O objetivo deste relato de experiência é apresentar e analisar a estratégia elaborada de apoio psicossocial e de saúde mental. Fazendo uso de métodos qualitativos, iniciamos a discussão descrevendo a rede pública de Atenção Psicossocial do município na época em que ocorreu o incêndio. Na sequência, delineia-se uma análise descritiva das medidas tomadas nas primeiras 24 horas após esse evento e, finalmente, apresentam-se as estratégias elaboradas para os meses subsequentes. Para esse relato foram utilizados dados e referências do Sistema Único de Saúde e do Sistema Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Civil, contemplando o panorama nacional no momento da intervenção. Dentre os resultados destacam-se a imprescindibilidade do trabalho articulado no nível loco-regional e o delineamento da avaliação sistemática envolvendo os três entes federados. Atividades e ações elaboradas como resposta foram estruturadas de forma condizente com as necessidades psicossociais do público-alvo, bem como com as diretrizes e políticas (inter) nacionais, enfocando a criação de uma estratégia articulada e sustentável em um curto e médio prazo e visando o bem-estar psicossocial dos afetados. Palavras-chave: Intervenção na Crise, Serviços de Saúde Mental. Saúde Pública. Intervenção Psicossocial.

BackgroundSevere mental disorders are often neglected following a disaster. Based on Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) experience of providing mental health (MH) care after the 2013 typhoon in the Philippines, we describe the monthly volume of MH activities and beneficiaries; characteristics of people seeking MH care; profile and outcomes of people with severe mental disorders; prescription of psychotropic medication; and factors facilitating the identification and management of individuals with severe mental disorders.MethodsA retrospective review of programme data was carried out.ResultsIn total, 172 persons sought MH care. Numbers peaked three months into MSF's intervention and decreased thereafter. Of 134 (78%) people with complete data, 37 (28%) had a severe mental disorder, often characterised by psychotic symptoms (n=24, 64%) and usually unrelated to the typhoon (n=32, 86%). Four people (11%) were discharged after successful treatment, two (5%) moved out of the area, 20 (54%) were referred for follow-up on cessation of MSF activities and 10 (27%) were lost-to-follow-up. Psychotropic treatment was prescribed for 33 (75%) people with mental disorders and for 11 with non-severe mental disorders.ConclusionsThis study illustrates how actors can play an important role in providing MH care for people with severe mental disorders in the aftermath of a disaster.

The "Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Infanto-Juvenil" are dispositives of treatment for children and adolescents suffering from severe mental disorders. This article describes sociodemografic characteristics of users of those centers between September 2008 and February 2009 in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Data from active files randomly selected was collected in 19 Centers in the state of São Paulo. The characteristics analyzed were divided in four groups of variables: identity; living conditions; family structure; schooling and occupation. The results indicated a higher concentration of users between 10 to 14 years-old; prevalence of males; tendency to nuclear and reduced family arrangements (45%); care primarily given by the mother (57%) and high frequency of users attending the regular school (86%). It was possible to identify a well-defined socio demographic profile of users, with differences regarding gender, attending the regular school and/or other institutions, as well as sharing a nuclear family arrangement.

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