TEACHER MENTAL HEALTH IN EDUCATION: CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING TEACHER WELL-BEING

Abstract

Teacher mental health is important for professional retention, educational work and supportive school environments. This article discusses the challenges affecting teacher wellbeing, considering work organization, psychosocial risks, institutional relationships and care strategies in education. It is a qualitative, bibliographic and descriptive study based on scientific articles, international documents and Brazilian regulations related to education, work and mental health. The analysis indicates that long working hours, task accumulation, insufficient institutional support, lack of resources, conflicts, violence and rapid changes in school practices may increase professional strain. It also shows that responses focused solely on individual behaviour are insufficient because illness is related to the concrete conditions in which teaching occurs. The study concludes that promoting teacher mental health requires risk prevention, professional recognition, participation in decision-making, intersectoral support networks and continuous institutional action.