Saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes em situação de acolhimento institucional: uma análise crítica

Abstract

This article presents a critical analysis of the mental health of children and adolescents in institutional care. Methodologically, the text was constructed based on bibliographical research, of an exploratory nature and with a qualitative approach, with a sample consisting of thirteen articles. The text, based on the critical dialectical method, seeks to answer the following research problem: What are the social determinations that affect the mental health of children and adolescents in institutional care? Based on data collection, which included a guiding script, it was possible to identify that the main indicators that manifest mental illness in institutionalized children and adolescents are depression, manifestations of aggression, difficulty in social communication, school difficulties and difficulty paying attention. . As for the situations that contribute to mental illness, institutionalization itself and deprivation of community family life stand out; the length of stay in foster institutions and, consequently, the expectation and wait for adoption; manifestation of racism and generational inequality among adopters in the criteria for adopting; and, situations of rights violations.