Saúde mental e trabalho docente na Educação Profissional e Tecnológica: uma análise documental da política de qualidade de vida no trabalho do Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais

Work and the act of working are not merely constructs originating from fields of knowledge; they exist within the dimension of their social and subjective functions, shaped by the socio-historical context in which they are produced. As a protoform of being, work marks the transition from a state of nature to one of socialization, forming a foundational element in human development. Ambiguous, particularly within the contours defined by the capitalist system, work encompasses the ambivalence of being both a source of pleasure and suffering, a promoter of health and illness. This study focuses on teaching work. Teachers represent a large class and, in contemporary times, one of the professional groups most susceptible to illness. Recognizing the social importance of these workers, this study sought to analyze the Occupational Quality of Life Policy of the Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais to understand the institutional policies, actions, and programs aimed at the protection and promotion of teachers' mental health. Thus, the investigation sought to situate these elements within the institutional conceptions, as demonstrated in official documents, and in the publicized actions related to the focus of this research, as seen through the institutional website. The study, qualitative and descriptive in nature, utilized bibliographic research, document analysis, and the principles of Work Psychodynamics as an analytical framework. The analysis of the results indicated that, despite the existence of an Occupational Quality of Life policy, the actions developed can be considered superficial, fragmented, and obscuring the topic, and in theory, they do not meet the objectives outlined in the analyzed guidelines. Therefore, it can be concluded that, despite being formally prescribed, there is no established, effective, and active institutional program for promoting teachers' mental health. As a final outcome, the “Guidance guide for the implementation of the Quality of Life at Work Policy of the Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais: reflections, ethical notes and possible paths” was developed as an educational product intended to support the institutionalization of the policy, aiming to contribute to the materialization of management tools that protect and promote the mental health of professionals at the Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais.