Mental Health of Social Workers: Advances and Setbacks 60 Years After the Reconceptualization Movement

AVANÇOS E RETROCESSOS 60 ANOS APÓS O MOVIMENTO DE RECONCEITUAÇÃO

Abstract

Brazilian Social Work is approaching its first centenary of recognition as a professional activity, and during this period it has undergone significant transformations in search of its own identity that reflects the category's commitment to defending rights and building a more just and egalitarian society. The Reconceptualization Movement with the 1988 Federal Constitution marked the category's break with conservative practices that made the profession an instrument of social control. This bibliographical work constitutes the first result of an ongoing scientific initiation project. The central objective was to analyze aspects of the literature on the mental health of social workers, outlining a theoretical panorama that will serve as a reference for the subsequent stages of the investigation. The challenges faced by professionals, previously interpreted as merely verbalizations of dissatisfaction with precarious working conditions, have in recent years manifested themselves in the form of physical and mental illnesses affecting a considerable portion of the category. Therefore, this research is relevant given the recent figures that show a significant increase in absences due to mental health issues among social workers. The systematization of bibliographic findings contributes to providing a foundation for future analyses and interventions, reinforcing the importance of scientific discussion about the impact of working conditions and public policies on the mental health of these professionals.