Brazil's workplace mental‑health issues drive sharp rise in health‑plan consultations

Brazilian companies are required by the new Norma Regulamentadora 1 (NR‑1) to monitor psychosocial risks, prompting a review of operational structures and a focus on balancing performance with employee wellbeing. Data from the Ministry of Social Security shows a 15.66% increase in temporary disability benefits for mental‑health disorders in 2025, with women accounting for 63% of the cases and São Paulo registering the highest number of claims.

The National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) reports that mental‑health consultations have surged 73%, rising from 6.1 million in 2021 to 10.6 million in 2025. Hospital admissions for psychiatric conditions have also shifted, with day‑hospital treatment growing from 27% to 46% of total cases. Regulators and employers cite rising costs from absenteeism and the need for preventive programs, while the World Health Organization estimates a global productivity loss of US$ 1 trillion each year due to mental‑health disorders.