*By Vanessa Guarise
The healthcare sector has renewed its approach to mental health. According to a survey by Ipsos (Global leader in market research) for the World Mental Health Day 2024, 45% of the people interviewed consider mental health the main health problem in their nations.
This data represents a significant increase compared to 2018, when only 271% of participants indicated mental health as one of the most critical issues. In this sense, it is worth highlighting that the Covid-19 pandemic had a direct impact on this increase, intensifying concern and awareness about the population's mental well-being.
In Brazil, this trend is also evident. According to the same study, in 2018, only 18% of those interviewed considered mental health to be the main health challenge. However, this rate jumped during the pandemic, reaching 40% in 2021, 49% in 2022 and 52% in 2023. In 2024, this number reached 54%.
Despite this growing awareness, many care managers still face challenges that limit the effectiveness of their initiatives. Factors such as work overload and lack of resources are common obstacles. In addition, the stigma associated with mental health disorders and the resistance of some patients to seek treatment further aggravate the situation.
The role of care managers
The care manager, also known as a health manager, is primarily responsible for administering and coordinating services in healthcare institutions, such as hospitals, clinics and offices. These professionals play an essential role in reducing barriers to accessing mental health care.
In this context, one of the main actions that care managers can take is to integrate mental health into management plans. This is because early detection and intervention in mental health problems are essential, and their worsening results in a higher risk of hospital readmissions.
Thus, incorporating mental health screenings into regular consultations and follow-up processes can help identify disorders at an early stage, ensuring more effective interventions.
Additionally, care managers can develop holistic wellness programs. In this regard, initiatives such as stress management and lifestyle improvement programs can make a difference by considering patients’ physical and mental health in an interconnected way.
Care managers can also act as intermediaries between patients and mental health professionals. Building a network of trust, supported by clear communication and effective coordination, is equally important to providing more cohesive and integrated care. This collaboration allows managers to stay up-to-date on best practices and available treatment options, ensuring that patients receive the care they need.
As mental health issues continue to escalate, care managers need to continue investing in specialized training so they are equipped with the tools they need to improve patient outcomes.
Technology as an ally
Technology has also proven to be a valuable tool for care managers. The platforms for clinical decision support, for example, have the ability to provide up-to-date, evidence-based information, which contributes to more accurate diagnoses and well-informed treatment plans.
These solutions not only improve the quality of care, but also make managers' work more agile and efficient, facilitating coordination between different health services.
Thus, in a scenario where awareness about mental health is growing more and more, the importance of care managers becomes increasingly definitive in the transformation of health care.
By taking an integrated and collaborative approach, focusing on education, training and the use of innovative technologies, care managers can improve patient outcomes and contribute to building a more balanced and efficient health system.
*Vanessa Guarise is Executive Account and Relationship Manager at Wolters Kluwer Health in Brazil.
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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