Advances and challenges of psychiatric reform in Brazil 22 years after the Caracas declaration

The authors present the psychiatric reform in Brazil (PRB) against the backdrop of the ideological and technical crisis of the care model previous to redemocratization and the Unified Healthcare System (SUS) creation. They emphasize the leading role of Caracas Declaration in 1990 and the normative initiatives taken by the Ministry of Health. The authors place the PRB legal framework in the context of the Federal Act 10.216/2001 and its positive effects. Implementation of community services, expressive reduction in psychiatric hospital beds and financial transition for the new care model are highlighted. Also are discussed the main current challenges concerning alcohol and drug abuse policies, the insufficient availability of psychiatric beds in general hospitals and the increase of hospitalizations covered by private health insurance.