The relationship between the work environment in public security and psychological illness: mental health challenges in the 21st century - a literature review (2020-2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16029700Keywords:
work environment, public security, mental health, occupational stress, psychological illness.Abstract
This article aims to examine how the organizational context within public safety institutions adversely affects the mental well-being of their personnel. Due to intense routines and recurrent exposure to traumatic events, a qualitative literature review was conducted, covering scientific publications from 2020 to 2025. The findings highlight that structural aspects such as institutional neglect, excessive workload, cultural stigma, and hierarchical rigidity play a crucial role in the development of psychological disorders. Emotional exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are prevalent among public safety workers. The study reinforces the urgent need for comprehensive mental health initiatives, including ongoing psychological support, leadership training, and organizational reforms focused on creating safer and more empathetic work environments.
References
BONUMWEZI, D. et al. Trauma exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol and other drug use among Australian public safety personnel. BMC Psychiatry, v. 23, n. 1, p. 1–10, 2023. Disponível em: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12022364/.
CARLETON, R. N. et al. Organizational Factors and Their Impact on Mental Health in Public Safety Organizations. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, v. 27, n. 2, p. 123-135, 2022. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36360872/.
CARLETON, R. N. et al. Work outcomes in public safety personnel after potentially traumatic events: A systematic review. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, v. 67, n. 1, p. 1–15, 2024. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38458612/.
EDGELOW, M. et al. Mental health of public safety personnel: Developing a model of operational, organizational, and personal factors in public safety organizations. Frontiers in Public Health, v. 11, 2023. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1140983/full.
FRANCISCO, D. R. M.; RODRIGUES, A. P. G.; PEREIRA, G. K. R. Riscos psicossociais na saúde mental de policiais militares. HOLOS, v. 37, n. 1, p. 1-14, 2021. Disponível em: https://www2.ifrn.edu.br/ojs/index.php/HOLOS/article/view/10379.
JOHNSTON, M. S.; RICCIARDELLI, R.; COULLING, R. “We must be mentally strong”: exploring barriers to mental health in correctional services. Frontiers in Psychology, v. 15, 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1258944.
JONES, S. et al. First responder mental health, traumatic events and rural and remote experience. Journal of Advanced Nursing, v. 80, n. 3, p. 456–468, 2024. Disponível em: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jan.15856.
KIEDERER, M. et al. Tackling Mental Health Challenges in the Public Safety Sector: Implementing and Evaluating Mental Health Programs. NIOSH Science Blog, 2024. Disponível em: https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/05/09/mental-health-public-safety-sector/.
KRAKAUER, R. L.; STELNICKI, A. M.; CARLETON, R. N. Examining Mental Health Knowledge, Stigma, and Service Use Intentions Among Public Safety Personnel. Frontiers in Psychology, v. 11, 2020. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00949/full.
MCMILLAN, K. A. et al. Associations between exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events and mental ill health among New Zealand firefighters: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Affective Disorders, v. 320, p. 1–9, 2025. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40174447/.
REIS, I. J. S. et al. O impacto da saúde mental na qualidade do trabalho da polícia militar do estado do Pará: desafios e conquistas. Revista Foco, v. 12, n. 2, p. 1-15, 2024. Disponível em: https://revistaft.com.br/o-impacto-da-saude-mental-na-qualidade-do-trabalho-da-policia-militar-do-estado-do-para-desafios-e-conquistas/.
RICCIARDELLI, R.; JOHNSTON, M. S. Documenting the mental health climate in correctional work and the realities of suicide. Frontiers in Psychology, v. 13, 2023. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1026821/full.
SILVA, A. O. et al. Fatores associados à Síndrome de Burnout em policiais: uma revisão de escopo. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, v. 77, n. 1, 2024. Disponível em: https://www.scielo.br/j/reben/a/cKHqQRsBFRghCW6k7rbKzDc/.
SILVA, M. B.; VIEIRA, S. B. O processo de trabalho do militar estadual e a saúde mental. Saúde e Sociedade, v. 17, n. 4, p. 161-170, 2023. Disponível em: https://www.scielo.br/j/sausoc/a/c7trbjmJ3RRnpDyHsNcJJKh/.
TEIXEIRA, J. R. B. et al. Aspectos psicossociais do trabalho e síndrome de burnout em policiais militares em uma grande cidade do estado da Bahia. Saúde Coletiva (Barueri), v. 12, n. 70, p. 3174-3180, 2022. Disponível em: https://revistasaudecoletiva.com.br/index.php/saudecoletiva/article/view/3174.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Social Issues and Health Sciences (JSIHS)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
