Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Mental Health as a state of well-being in which individuals recognize their own abilities in order to cope with everyday stress, be productive, and contribute to society. Thus, this concept implies that the promotion of Mental Health involves different social actors and, therefore, different levels of healthcare. Furthermore, the etiology of Mental and Behavioral Disorders (MBD) is multifactorial and affects several spheres of the population, since Mental Health is a social determinant of health. Finally, epidemiological analysis becomes essential to understand its distribution and to support public health strategies for early diagnosis, follow-up, and improvement of patients’ prognosis. **OBJECTIVES:** To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations due to Mental and Behavioral Disorders in the Federal District between 2019 and 2024, considering the temporal distribution of admissions, cause of morbidity, sex, and age group. **METHOD:** This is an ecological, retrospective, and quantitative study based on secondary data obtained from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), accessed through the Health Information platform (TABNET). Hospitalizations for Mental and Behavioral Disorders (MBD) in the Federal District (FD) from 2019 to 2024 were analyzed. The variables evaluated included: morbidity list (ICD-10), total number of hospitalizations, year of care, sex, and age group. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics, with calculation of absolute and relative frequencies. **RESULTS:** Between 2019 and 2024, 22,419 hospitalizations were recorded, with Mood Disorders (F30–F39) being the leading cause within Mental and Behavioral Disorders (Chapter V), totaling 6,787 hospitalizations, followed by Schizophrenia, Schizotypal Disorders, and Delusional Disorders (F20–F29), with 4,720 hospitalizations. Thus, a significant increase was observed from 2019 to 2020, with 3,673 hospitalizations, corresponding to a 920.6% increase, followed by a 5.4% increase between 2020 and 2021. In addition, the temporal distribution showed a growing increase between 2021 and 2022 of 9.64%, followed by a slight rise of 0.4% between 2022 and 2023 and, finally, a decrease of 10.5% between 2023 and 2024. Regarding age distribution, the 20–29 age group stood out negatively, with 5,459 hospitalizations, as well as the 30–39 age group, with 3,575 hospitalizations. Furthermore, 10.26% of hospitalizations occurred in the 40–49 age group, 9.53% in the 10–19 age group, and 5.61% in the 60–69 age group. Regarding sex distribution, there were 9,772 hospitalizations among males and 12,647 among females. **DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:** The study findings illustrate the impact of MBD in the Federal District, especially among females, as evidenced by the number of hospitalizations for Mood Disorders and unspecified disorders, suggesting weaknesses in the healthcare system regarding patient classification for better care delivery. Among males, disorders related to alcohol abuse as the second leading cause of morbidity in the group suggest difficulties in articulating primary healthcare with the Psychosocial Care Network. Temporal variation suggests possible epidemiological and structural impacts on access to hospital services focused on mental health, highlighting the COVID-19 pandemic with the expressive increase from 2019 to 2020. Age distribution emerged negatively in the 20–29, 30–39, and 40–49 age groups, reinforcing the importance of mental health actions for workers. Therefore, public policies aimed at optimizing hospital care and improving patients’ mental health prognosis are necessary.
