Mental health in rural areas: the phenomenon of agroburnout in the context of Espírito Santo

Abstract

This article aims to present and discuss the concept of Agroburnout, developed in this study to describe the physical and emotional exhaustion experienced by rural producers, especially those working with coffee and black pepper in Linhares and the surrounding region. The term is proposed to represent a set of symptoms related to excessive workload, pressure for productivity, and difficulties in balancing professional routine and personal life. In addition, the study seeks to understand why rural women demonstrate greater vulnerability to this exhaustion, considering their multiple roles inside and outside the fields. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, as it was considered the most appropriate method for understanding subjective experiences and feelings related to rural work. First, a bibliographic review was carried out using materials on mental health, professional burnout, and the living conditions of rural workers, which helped establish the necessary theoretical foundation. Subsequently, a questionnaire was applied to rural producers from Linhares and the surrounding region, including open- and closed-ended questions about routine, division of tasks, signs of stress, and perceptions of their own mental health. The results show that Agroburnout appears recurrently in the daily lives of workers, causing extreme fatigue, irritability, a constant sense of pressure, and reduced work performance. It was also observed that women are more affected due to the overload of responsibilities and the limited availability of emotional support. These findings reinforce the importance of recognizing Agroburnout as a real and urgent issue, encouraging further discussion and actions aimed at promoting mental health in rural areas.