A saúde mental dos professores dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental na contemporaneidade: os impactos do esgotamento mental na prática pedagógica em Guarabira-PB

Abstract

This study examines the impacts of mental exhaustion on the mental health and pedagogical practices of primary school teachers in contemporary times. The main objective is to understand how work overload and labor conditions affect these educators' lives and professional performance. Specifically, it aims to identify the causes of exhaustion, analyze its effects on teaching practices and classroom relationships, and reflect on strategies for support and recognition. The research, adopting a qualitative approach, employed semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers from two public schools in Guarabira, Paraíba: Edson Montenegro da Cunha School and Ascendino Toscano de Brito Municipal School for Early Childhood and Primary Education. The findings reveal a routine marked by an excess of responsibilities beyond pedagogical roles, leading to physical and emotional exhaustion and demotivation. These factors compromise teaching quality and interactions with students. The study concludes that teachers’ mental exhaustion demands urgent attention, calling for public policies and initiatives to promote better working conditions and mental health. This work contributes to the discussion on teacher valorization, emphasizing the need for a more humane and sustainable educational environment, essential for the future of education.