Mental health at work has never been so much on the agenda and now it officially becomes a strategic priority within Brazilian companies. The update of Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-1), which comes into force in May 2026, marks a structural turn by including psychosocial factors in Occupational Risk Management.

In practice, this means that aspects such as work overload, excessive pressure, abusive goals, moral harassment and lack of autonomy are no longer subjective or specific issues and begin to require identification, monitoring and control systematic, as with physical, chemical and biological risks.

According to occupational physician and corporate health specialist Dr. Gustavo Locatelli, this change represents a significant advance in the way organizations view employee well-being.

“The big transformation is that psychosocial factors are no longer invisible and start to require structured management, with method, recording and continuous monitoring. This raises the level of maturity of companies when we talk about health and quality of life at work”, he explains.

Mental health stops being a benefit and becomes a strategy

Until then, initiatives aimed at mental health They were often treated as additional benefits, such as well-being programs or one-off psychological support. With the update of the standard, this scenario changes completely. Mental health becomes part of corporate governance and risk management, directly impacting business performance and sustainability indicators.

“We’re not just talking about avoiding illnesses. We’re talking about ensuring that people are able to work with energy, focus, clarity and ability to achieve. When this doesn’t happen, the loss is silent, but extremely expensive for companies”, highlights the occupational doctor.

Invisible cost of mental illness

Although many companies already monitor indicators such as absences and health plan costs, there is still an impact that is little measured, called presenteeism, when the employee is present but operates below their potential.

According to estimates by the World Economic Forum in partnership with McKinsey, problems related to mental health represent an impact of more than 12 trillion dollars on the global economy.

This scenario is directly linked to work environments with excessive demands, low autonomy, failed communication and unprepared leadership, factors that drain energy, reduce creativity and compromise decision-making.

What changes in practice for companies

With the update, organizations will need to identify psychosocial risks in the workplace, assess health impacts of employees, implement prevention and control measures, continuously monitor these factors and record all actions. In other words, it is no longer enough to recognize the problem, it will be necessary to act in a structured and continuous way.

“Mental health is no longer an individual issue and is now understood as a reflection of organizational culture and the way work is structured”, reinforces the expert.

Benefits go beyond legal compliance

Despite being a regulatory requirement, the new guideline also opens up space for important strategic gains. Companies that adopt a consistent approach to mental health tend to observe a reduction in absenteeism, a reduction in turnoverincreased engagement and productivity, improved organizational climate and greater ability to attract and retain talent.

“Companies that take mental health seriously are able to transform toxic environments into spaces of psychosocial protection and this translates into real competitive advantage”, says Dr. Gustavo Locatelli.

Adaptation requires planning and cultural change

Despite the deadline, experts warn that adaptation should not be left to the last minute. This is because implementation involves profound changes in the organizational culture, leadership model and work design.

“Adaptation does not happen quickly. It is a process that requires preparation, integration between areas and commitment from senior leadership. Those who start earlier will have an easier time and better results”, concludes the professional.

By Gabriela Andrade