CONHECIMENTO DOS AGENTES COMUNITÁRIOS DE SAÚDE SOBRE TRANSTORNO MENTAL E DE COMPORTAMENTO, EM UMA CIDADE DE MINAS GERAIS

: This study aims to assess the knowledge of Community Health Agents (CHA) on the mental and behavioral disorders in individuals suffering from mental disorders in a city in the interior of Minas Gerais. This is a descriptiveexploratory study in nature carried out in two units of Strategy for Family Health. Thirteen (13) CHAs were the subjects who participated in a theme-related interview. The CHAs have empirical knowledge on Mental Illness, have difficulties in perceiving manifestations indicating signs and symptoms of the disease as well as its main forms of treatment. It is pointed out that the main action taken by the CHAs is to forward the individual to the doctor, the challenges in delivering care to the mental patient, resistance to treatment and professionals’ lack of knowledge. They reported that they did not attend any training on the subject, thus efforts to provide them such training are deemed necessary.