Objective: To identify the opinions of primary care nurses regarding mental illness and the care provided to this population.
Methodology: Cross-sectional, quantitative study with the participation of 328 nurses of primary health care in Porto, Portugal. Data collected between April and August of 2018 through the scale "Opinions about Mental Illness" and socio demographic and labor questionnaire. Descriptive and correlational statistics were applied.
Results: A total of 50% of the nurses presented positive opinions about the mental illness. Regarding the assistance provided in their unit of action, 53.4% considered inadequate and 50.3% recognized as adequate their knowledge about the role that primary health care has in assisting the person with mental illness.
Conclusion: Positive opinions and recognition of the importance of primary care to people with mental illness are important indicators for qualified mental health care outside the field of specialty.