Matrix Support in Mental Health within the Brazilian Unified Health System: a narrative literature review

Abstract

Mental health represents a significant challenge for healthcare systems, requiring strategies capable of integrating different levels of care and expanding access to services. In this context, Matrix Support in mental health stands out as a tool for articulating Primary Health Care (PHC) and specialized services within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). This study aimed to conduct a narrative literature review on Matrix Support in mental health within the SUS, discussing its theoretical foundations, potentialities, challenges, and contributions to integrated care. A narrative review was carried out using the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) database, employing the descriptors “matrix support,” “mental health,” and “primary health care,” considering Portuguese-language publications from 2020 to 2026. The analyzed studies demonstrated that Matrix Support promotes shared responsibility among healthcare teams, increases the problem-solving capacity of PHC, strengthens the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS), and contributes to continuing health education processes. However, challenges related to professional training, weaknesses in network articulation, work overload, staff turnover, and structural limitations of healthcare services were also identified. It is concluded that Matrix Support represents an important strategy for improving mental health care within the SUS, contributing to the development of more integrated, humanized, and territory-based practices, although its consolidation depends on strengthening the organizational and institutional conditions that support collaborative work.