Work activity and psychic illness in workers of a federal educational institution

Abstract

Considering the theoretical references from the Clinic of Activity theoretical approach, this study is centered on the psychic illness and the working activity of technical and administrative workers in education (TAE) at a federal teaching institution, in Brazil. Considering that its administrators have observed a growing percentage of sickness absence caused by mental health issues among its workers, the current research aims to develop a descriptive analysis and the clinic of activity of TAE´s who face psychic illness at work. This analysis was performed using the technique of the instruction to the double, with two volunteer workers: a pedagogue and a student assistant. When analyzing the impediments of the activity, loss or amputation of the power to act was observed in both analyzed cases. Through dialogical exchanges with workers, clinical mobilizations of a therapeutic nature, manifestation of affections, and transformation in the worker’s power to act were observed.