Yellow September raises awareness for the promotion of mental health and suicide prevention.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Brazil, raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Data from the World Health Organization justifies the importance of this awareness: more than 720 people take their own lives annually, and young people aged 15 to 29 are among the most affected groups. The Municipal Health Department (SMS) offers support, qualified listening, and multidisciplinary care for people in crisis and/or who need assistance due to emotional and psychological distress. The goal is to encourage people to seek professional support, combat the taboo and stigma surrounding mental disorders, and assist patients' families, promoting acceptance, well-being, and protection of life.

 

In the municipal network, care begins in Primary Care, the main entry point to the Unified Health System (SUS), with a multidisciplinary team. All 242 units in the network (municipal health centers and family clinics) are prepared to identify situations of psychological distress and define the most appropriate follow-up. Depending on the needs of each patient, care can be shared or referred to Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS), which offer multidisciplinary care and develop individualized therapeutic plans.

 

In crisis situations, clinical and trauma cases related to suicide attempts, emergency and urgent care units provide immediate care and coordinate continuity of care with the psychosocial care network. The technology of the Epidemiological Intelligence Center (CIE) also assists in identifying these cases in hospitals and sends alerts to the municipal Mental Health network, allowing for active case finding and monitoring of patients. Care is maintained throughout recovery and, after hospital discharge, the patient is referred for continued follow-up at a family clinic, municipal health center, or CAPS (Psychosocial Care Center), according to their needs.

 

Warning signs: prevention guidelines

 

Persistent changes in behavior can indicate that a person is experiencing emotional distress and needs attention. Social isolation, mood swings, loss of self-care, increased alcohol or other drug use, and expressions of hopelessness or self-deprecation are among the signs that should be observed by family members and close friends. A history of conditions such as depression and anxiety may also require closer attention.

 

– Recognizing the individual's emotional state and discussing the situation are fundamental components of prevention. Conversation will always be the first step, but it is necessary to seek professional help from health units. There should be no fear or shame in admitting the problem and seeking help – advises Hugo Fagundes, Superintendent of Mental Health at the SMS (Municipal Health Secretariat).

 

In cases of severe depressive symptoms, for example, the CAPS team develops a therapeutic plan according to the psychological distress and identified needs. The follow-up may include individual, group, and family sessions, as well as therapeutic workshops focused on psychosocial rehabilitation. The work is multidisciplinary and coordinated with other services in the health network.

 

For family members and close friends who also need support, the Municipal Health Department (SMS) offers follow-up care and listening spaces. In Primary Care, there are support groups, while the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS) provides reception and follow-up according to the identified emotional and psychological needs.

 

– It is noticeable that suicide cases occur more frequently in young adults and are mainly linked to depression. They are also strongly correlated with social factors, family structure, personality, disorders, and relationships with social networks. In the units of the psychosocial care network, we offer all the necessary resources to provide a listening ear to the patient. This care is ongoing. We always recommend seeking professional help – concludes Hugo Fagundes.

Psychosocial care network

The municipal network has 40 CAPS (Psychosocial Care Centers), including services focused on care related to alcohol and other drug use (CAPSad) and for children and adolescents (CAPSi). The units operate Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 17 pm, or, in the case of CAPS III, 24 hours a day, every day of the week, offering continuous care for people in more complex situations. In these services, users who are already receiving care can receive overnight accommodation, according to the team's assessment and the needs identified in the care. The network also has seven mental health emergency services to attend to situations that require immediate care (see the list at this link: https://saude.prefeitura.rio/unidades-de-saude/unidades-especializadas/And for clinical or trauma cases resulting from suicide attempts, the entire emergency and urgent care network (UPAs, CERs, and hospitals) can provide immediate care and specific treatment until the condition improves and referral to the Psychosocial Care Network or Primary Care.

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September 2th, 2026

Appointments: Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) World Health Organization September Yellow Health Unic System