Mental health and burnout trends impact Brazilian workforce

Mental health issues are increasingly impacting the Brazilian workforce, with mental disorders accounting for one in seven work-related absences. In 2025, the INSS granted over 166,000 benefits for anxiety disorders and 126,000 for depressive episodes.

In response to these trends, Hospital São Vicente de Paulo implemented the ‘Cuidar de Quem Cuida’ program. Led by psychiatrist Dr. Gabriela Rique, the initiative focuses on mental health prevention and support for staff through open dialogue and digital resources like the São Vicente Conecta platform. The hospital is also developing protocols for psychiatric emergencies.

Concurrently, the legal landscape regarding occupational burnout is evolving. Lawyer Priscila Arraes Reino has released a guide to help workers navigate their rights and recognize the cumulative signs of exhaustion, such as constant pressure and excessive messaging. This follows updates to Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-1), which now requires companies to address psychosocial risks in the professional environment.