National Mental Health Policy in Brazil: opportunities and pathways for innovation

Mental health has moved from a peripheral issue to one of the main public health challenges of the 21st century. In Brazil, the rise in depressive, anxiety-related and substance use disorders impacts not only individuals and families, but also productivity, the sustainability of the healthcare system and social development. In this context, Brazil’s national mental health policy is going through a decisive moment: the transition from a historically fragmented model to an approach driven by data, regulated innovation and integration with the Unified Health System (SUS).

The launch by the Ministry of Health of a National Mental Health Survey — featuring an unprecedented population-level mapping of depression, anxiety and substance use — represents a major institutional milestone. By gathering robust, standardized and nationwide data, the country is laying the foundation for more precise decision-making, long-term planning and the development of therapeutic solutions aligned with the real needs of the population. This new phase not only strengthens Brazil’s national mental health policy, but also opens opportunities for clinical, scientific and regulatory innovation.

Below, we explore the main paths emerging from this scenario: the role of data in policy-making, the current therapeutic gap, the expansion of clinical trials, integration with the SUS, pharmaceutical innovation based on natural compounds, and the ethical commitment to Indigenous peoples.

A paradigm shift in Brazilian mental health

For decades, mental health policy in Brazil was based on administrative records, partial notifications and local studies. Although important, these tools were unable to capture the complexity of psychological suffering at a national scale. Brazil’s national mental health policy is now being repositioned around a model that prioritizes population-based evidence, recognizing that mental disorders are chronic, multifactorial conditions deeply influenced by social determinants.

This shift follows international trends: more efficient mental health systems are those that use continuous epidemiological data to plan services, allocate resources and assess impact. By adopting this model, Brazil moves closer to a more strategic form of governance, in which prevention, early diagnosis and access to innovative treatments become central pillars of national mental health policy.

National mental health policy: the role of population data

The National Mental Health Survey inaugurates a new stage by offering a comprehensive picture of the prevalence of mental disorders, segmented by age group, gender, region and socioeconomic context. These data make it possible to identify neglected clinical subgroups, regions with higher demand and patterns of comorbidity that previously remained invisible.

In practice, this means that Brazil’s national mental health policy is now built on real-world data, not merely estimates. Based on this mapping, it becomes possible to:

• Plan the distribution of services and professionals; • Define funding priorities; • Develop targeted prevention programs; • Establish parameters for impact evaluation.

When population data are integrated into decision-making, policies stop being reactive and become strategic, creating a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement.

The real size of the therapeutic gap

Despite advances, current psychiatric treatments still present significant limitations. Clinical studies show that a substantial proportion of patients with depression do not respond adequately to conventional therapies. In addition, many discontinue treatment due to side effects or the long time required to perceive benefits.

This therapeutic gap represents a direct challenge to national mental health policy, as it demonstrates that simply expanding access is not enough. It is necessary to invest in new approaches with different mechanisms of action, faster onset of effect and better tolerability. Innovation is no longer a luxury — it becomes a systemic necessity.

When data becomes clinical trials

Robust data are not useful only for public policy; they also guide clinical research. By identifying population patterns, it becomes possible to design more precise studies, with inclusion criteria aligned with local realities. This increases trial relevance, reduces risk and accelerates the validation of new therapies.

The integration between epidemiological data and clinical development strengthens national mental health policy by creating an ecosystem in which science, regulation and healthcare move together. Clinical trials based on population evidence contribute to solutions that can be incorporated into the SUS with greater predictability and cost-effectiveness.

Brazil as an emerging hub for regulated innovation

Brazil has unique conditions to become a hub for mental health innovation: a universal public healthcare system, an internationally recognized regulatory agency and a network of hospitals and research centers capable of conducting multicenter studies. This environment creates opportunities for national mental health policy to be implemented in synergy with the development of new therapies.

The incorporation of medicines into the SUS, when based on solid evidence and economic evaluation, strengthens the system and expands access. In this scenario, innovation and public policy are not opposing forces — they are complementary.

Pharmaceutical innovation based on natural compounds and scientific rigor

The search for new solutions includes revisiting molecules of natural origin, historically used in traditional contexts, now investigated under rigorous pharmaceutical standards. Standardization, stability, purity control and clinical validation are essential requirements for transforming ancestral knowledge into safe and replicable medicines.

This approach aligns with national mental health policy by offering innovative therapeutic alternatives without compromising scientific and regulatory criteria. The integration between green biotechnology and modern pharmacology expands the range of solutions available to treatment-resistant patients.

Indigenous peoples and ethical innovation

Any innovation based on traditional knowledge requires a strong ethical commitment. Free, prior and informed consent, benefit-sharing and protection of genetic heritage are principles that guide a fair relationship between science and traditional communities.

By respecting these values, national mental health policy reinforces its inclusive and sustainable character, recognizing that innovation must generate broad social benefits without reproducing historical inequalities.

Impacts for the SUS and public policy

The incorporation of innovative treatments can reduce chronic costs, decrease hospitalizations and improve quality of life for patients and families. Health economics studies show that effective mental health interventions generate significant social returns by reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity.

In this context, national mental health policy is strengthened when it works in partnership with scientific and regulatory initiatives, creating solutions aligned with the needs of the public system and the population.

Future paths: from policy to the patient

The convergence between data, science, regulation and innovation points to a future in which national mental health policy becomes increasingly evidence-based and patient-centered. Brazil has the opportunity to become an international reference by integrating public policy with technological development and social commitment.

By transforming data into decisions, and decisions into effective treatments, the country takes a decisive step toward addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Ayamed operates within this ecosystem as a partner of the SUS and public institutions, developing regulated, safe and sustainable solutions for mental health disorders. If you believe that science, data and innovation can transform lives, learn how Ayamed contributes to strengthening Brazil’s national mental health policy and expanding access to new treatments.