Supporting Teacher Wellbeing: Brazil‘s Sinpro Labor Clinic Offers Crucial Mental Health Resources
Brasília, Brazil – As Yellow September – a global awareness campaign focused on suicide prevention – gains momentum, the Sinpro Federation of Education Professionals in the Federal District of Brazil is highlighting the vital role of mental health support for educators. Recognizing the immense pressures faced by teachers, Sinpro has championed initiatives like the Labor Clinic, a unique program providing psychological care to public school staff.
Now entering its 16th year (reaching the milestone in 2025), the Labor Clinic offers both collective and individual psychological support, specifically designed to address work-related stressors. In 2024 alone, the clinic provided a listening ear to 1,600 educators and offered intensive individual support to 80 professionals struggling with their mental wellbeing. Since its inception in 2009,the clinic has extended its reach to 240 schools across 33 administrative regions.
“The emphasis on listening is critical to understanding the realities of daily life for our educators,” explains Luciane Kozicz, the coordinating psychologist. “We create a space for dialogue,for questioning,where collective knowledge can support individuals in processing the challenges they face. Even a brief pause in the workday can be a powerful act of self-care.”
The need for such support is clear. Teachers, advisors, and educational counselors are increasingly reporting issues like anxiety, depression, and burnout – often linked to factors such as increased workloads, large class sizes, limited access to support teams and technology, and interpersonal difficulties. The Labor Clinic directly addresses these concerns, offering a crucial safety net for those on the front lines of education.
Élbia Pires, Coordinator of Sinpro’s Occupational Health Secretariat, emphasizes the union’s commitment to prioritizing mental health. “We cannot neglect mental wellbeing, either individually or collectively,” she states. “Sinpro provides formative activities, resources, and – crucially – a safe space for listening and support. This also generates valuable data to strengthen our advocacy efforts.”
Schools interested in accessing the Labor Clinic’s services can register by emailing faleconoscoaudetrabalhador@sinprodf.org.br or by calling +55 (61) 3343-4211 or +55 (61) 99244-3839.
Resources:
* Learn more about the importance of valuing education for mental health: https://www.sinprodf.org.br/setembro-amarelo-valorizacao-da-educacao-e-chave-para-saude-mental-na-escola/
* Sinpro Suicide Prevention Booklet: https://www.sinprodf.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Suicidio-1.pdf
keywords: Mental Health, Teachers, Education, Brazil, Suicide Prevention, Wellbeing, Labor Clinic, Sinpro, burnout,
