Dialogues between the struggle for land and the mental health of rural workers in the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST)
a narrative literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47456/rbps.v27isupl_1.48247Keywords:
Mental health, Rural population, Rural workers, Health education, PsychologyAbstract
Introduction: The Landless Workers’ Movement (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra – MST) is the largest social organization in Brazil advocating for agrarian reform and land redistribution. It faces significant challenges concerning social (in)justice. The adverse conditions experienced by its members severely impact their mental health, resulting in psychological distress that requires careful analysis. Objective: This narrative literature review aims to identify and analyze the development of mental health promotion practices among landless rural workers, highlighting how these actions meet their needs and strengthen their struggle for rights. Methods: The literature search was conducted in the LILACS and MEDLINE databases, covering the period from 2004 to 2024. After analysis, three articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: From the comprehensive reading of the articles, two analytical categories were developed based on thematic similarity: (1) the impacts of social (in)justice on the mental health of MST rural workers, and (2) popular health education as a fertile strategy for mental health promotion. Conclusion: The ongoing struggle for land and continuous exposure to violence, combined with the disqualification of the movement and the stigmatization that harshly marginalizes and dehumanizes MST rural workers, create a social context conducive to intense psychological suffering. In this scenario, collective intervention strategies—such as Popular Health Education—prove essential in addressing social injustice and promoting mental health.
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