PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS IN THE BRUMADINHO CASE

Abstract

Under capitalism, the mobility of people around the world becomes imperative to keep capital circulating and, at the same time, inherently carries restrictions on entry, exit, and residence in other countries. As such, the routes, paths, points of departure and arrival of people on the move are shaped by social markers of difference such as race, gender, sexuality, and nationality. This paper presents a reflection on two projects carried out by the Laboratório de Estudos sobre Trabalho, Cárcere e Direitos Humanos (LabTrab/UFMG) with migrant populations: a research project on migration dynamics and labor trajectories of Haitian migrants, and an extension program providing psychosocial support to students in the Pró-Imigrantes project — a preparatory course for the ENEM offered by the Faculdade de Letras (FALE/UFMG) — in a workshop specifically focused on labor. Among the reflections on labor trajectories, one key finding is that the work carried out in Brazil by the migrants interviewed does not correspond to their academic and professional training obtained in their country of origin, indicating a mismatch between professional training and employment in the destination country. This scenario is characterized by a waste of experience (Autor, 2017). Moreover, their labor trajectories are predominantly marked by experiences in precarious, low-skilled, and undervalued jobs, resulting in limited upward social mobility. The intersection between labor trajectories and mobility experiences reveals a complex and multifaceted landscape, where labor dynamics not only reflect but also shape the experiences of those who move in search of opportunities and better living conditions. Labor precariousness, xenoracism, and language barriers are obstacles that undermine the quality of labor trajectories, directly affecting the migration experience. Understanding these elements can contribute to building and rethinking migration policies based on the right to decent work, regardless of nationality and other social markers of difference.

The article discusses mental health in the context of environmental disasters, focusing on the Brumadinho-MG tragedy caused by the collapse of the Córrego do Feijão dam. This study aims to investigate the role of Psychology in disasters, analyze the psychological impacts in Brumadinho, identify challenges in post-disaster psychosocial reconstruction and in the implementation of public policies, as well as highlight the importance of prevention and institutional reflexivity. The methodology included a literature review, semi-structured interviews with psychologists who were part of the psychological care team in Brumadinho, and qualitative analysis, respecting the victims' autonomy and considering the cultural context. The bibliographic research and interviews aim to contribute to the understanding of Psychology’s role in emergency and disaster situations. The importance of mental health in the Brumadinho tragedy is also emphasized, through the analysis of psychological impacts on the victims. Interviews with mental health professionals reveal challenges in psychosocial reconstruction and public policy development, with institutional bureaucracy identified as an obstacle, while strengthening the support network is highlighted as a positive factor. This research provides an in-depth understanding of Psychology’s role in disasters, especially after the Brumadinho tragedy. By analyzing psychological impacts and identifying barriers in psychosocial reconstruction, it contributes to the development of more effective strategies for psychological intervention and public policies that are sensitive to the needs of affected communities. The study also highlights the need for further research in the field of Disaster and Emergency Psychology, especially within the Brazilian context.

KEYWORDS: Psychosocial care; Mental health; Emergency and Disasters; Brumadinho; Psychology.