Brazil Advances Mental Health Policy with National Forum and Social Reintegration Trainings in 2025
Brazil's 2025 mental health forum and social reintegration trainings highlight prevention focus, workplace mental health, and enhanced public policy coordination.
- • The 18th Fonasm-MP meeting reviewed 2025 mental health policy advancements and planned for 2026.
- • Jairo Bisol emphasized promotion and prevention over assistance in mental health policy.
- • Cirlene Zimmerman highlighted psychosocial workplace risks and the impact of work virtualization.
- • SENAPPEN conducted trainings to enhance social participation in reintegration of ex-prisoners within the National Policy for Attention to Ex-Prisoners.
Key details
On December 1, 2025, Brazil's National Forum for Mental Health Attention in the Public Ministry (Fonasm-MP) concluded its 18th meeting of the year by reviewing major accomplishments in mental health policy throughout 2025 and strategizing for 2026. Chaired by Jairo Bisol, a member of the Health Commission, the forum underscored the progress of Brazil's National Policy on Mental Health Attention, established by Resolution CNMP No. 265/2023. Bisol stressed the necessity of focusing on promotion and prevention methods rather than solely on assistance after illness occurs, emphasizing that assistance reflects policy failure.
Labor prosecutor Cirlene Zimmerman highlighted the critical need to address psychosocial risks in workplaces, advocating for integrated physical and mental health protections as required by both the Brazilian Constitution and international standards. She also pointed to challenges posed by increased work virtualization, which has heightened potential mental health issues.
The forum further evaluated the roles and goals of several specialized committees, including those on Psychopedagogical Strategies and Workplace Violence, which play vital parts in advancing mental health initiatives within the Public Ministry.
Separately, the National Secretariat of Penal Policies (SENAPPEN) supported capacity-building trainings on October 6 and November 24, 2025, aimed at enhancing social participation in the National Policy for Attention to Ex-Prisoners (PNAPE). In partnership with COPOLAD, these trainings involved civil society, community leaders, and organizations focused on ex-prisoner reintegration. They fostered a communication network to improve information exchange and coordinated actions across government entities and civil society.
Through the strengthening of the National Network of Attention to Ex-Prisoners (RENAESP) and promotion of local inter-institutional cooperation, SENAPPEN reinforced its commitment to creating a more effective and humane penal system that aids social reintegration and reduces recidivism.
The next Fonasm-MP meeting is scheduled for February 23, 2026, continuing Brazil's commitment to improve mental health care and social reintegration policies.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
