Hospital Psychological Care Protocol for Mental Health Crises in the Perinatal Period
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36489/saudecoletiva.2025v15i97p16140-16151Keywords:
Clinical protocols, Crisis intervention, Mental health assistance, Perinatal care, HospitalsAbstract
Objective: To present a proposal for a psychological care protocol for the mental health crisis of hospitalized pregnant and postpartum women. Method: A descriptive, qualitative study of a care protocol developed as a product of the psychologist's work in a maternity hospital. Results: The protocol comprises nine stages: emergency focal reception; taking the patient to a calm, safe environment; active, attentive, understanding listening; psychic examination, psychological assessment; identifying/adopting adaptive coping strategies; not leaving the patient alone, trying to keep her safe until she stabilizes; sensitive listening to the companion/family member; discussion of the case with the health team; recording in the electronic medical record and notification of the violence. Conclusion: Attention to the mental health crisis in the perinatal period calls for: a kaleidoscopic, holistic, integral vision; an ethical-aesthetic-active-critical-sensitive-empathetic stance; legitimizing suffering, invisible idiosyncrasies, a sui generis experience, a patient-team-accompanying person/family triad; co-production in a network.
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