With the significant and constant changes in the corporate world, the Human Resources (HR) department has transformed into a strategic area for any company. After all, it is responsible for managing one of the most valuable assets of any organization: its people.

Much more than executing repetitive or bureaucratic tasks, HR now plays a fundamental role in organizations, directly influencing results. Among its numerous responsibilities, it works to promote employee well-being through coordinated actions with other departments in pursuit of the best outcomes.
One of HR’s biggest challenges is implementing an effective strategy for protecting employees’ mental health. Today, issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are among the main causes of work leave. Another condition that deserves special attention is professional exhaustion, widely known as burnout syndrome.
In Brazil, the number of benefits related to mental health rose from 201,000 to 472,000 between 2022 and 2024, according to data from SmartLab for Decent Work. Meanwhile, episodes of depression and anxiety harm productivity across companies, generating a loss of nearly US$ 1 trillion per year to the global economy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
These numbers alone demonstrate how crucial HR is to a company’s results. By prioritizing people rather than processes, HR aligns itself with the current and future needs of society and, of course, with the sustainable performance of organizations.

The Evolution and Importance of HR
For decades, HR acted mainly as an operational arm within companies—handling administrative procedures and personnel management. Hiring, payroll, standardized training and terminations were part of its daily routine.
In recent decades, however, the corporate world has undergone a major transformation, demanding significant changes from HR as well.
Today, companies seeking to remain relevant, productive and sustainable must place people at the center of their strategy. And this requires far more than isolated benefits or formal policies—it demands a real cultural shift.
The “new HR” emerges as a protagonist in this transition. It is no longer about managing human resources, but cultivating human relationships. Caring for people is no longer a competitive advantage—it is an organizational necessity.

The Silent Crisis Inside Companies
According to the World Health Organization, Brazil has the highest prevalence of anxiety in the world and is second in depression cases within Latin America. The workplace is one of the main triggers of these disorders.
According to the International Stress Management Association (ISMA-BR), around 32% of Brazilian workers suffer from burnout, a condition now recognized by WHO as an occupational syndrome.
These numbers directly affect company performance. A study by the FIA Employee Experience (FEEx) shows that more than 60% of employees feel emotionally exhausted by the end of the week. Overload, pressure for results and lack of listening create a vicious cycle: organizational climate deteriorates, absenteeism rises, productivity decreases and turnover increases.
And it doesn’t stop there: according to Mercer Marsh Benefits, mental disorders are already among the main causes of medical leave in the country, generating significant financial impacts for both public and private organizations.

The New HR and the Care for People
In this context, HR takes on a new identity. Much more than performing bureaucratic functions, the department becomes a guardian of organizational culture—working across different topics to build an inclusive, creative, dynamic, prosperous and above all, healthy workplace.
According to a study by Gallup, employees who feel their company cares about their well-being are 70% less likely to suffer burnout, show 41% less absenteeism, and have 59% lower turnover.
In other words: taking care of mental health is not only an ethical responsibility—it is a strategic action that directly influences business outcomes.

PSF as HR’s Strategic Ally
Given its relevance to society and companies, the identification of psychosocial risks in the workplace was included in the updated Regulatory Standard (NR-01), requiring organizations to adopt risk management measures. This demands a strategic and effective HR approach.
But how can companies implement actions that truly make a difference and ensure that mental health initiatives produce meaningful and concrete results?
The answer is to rely on the specialized support of a strategic partner.
This is exactly where Psicólogos Sem Fronteiras (PSF) comes in — an organization that connects companies to structured solutions for psychological support and mental health promotion.
PSF offers corporate programs that include qualified listening, individual counseling with partner psychologists, awareness campaigns and a culture of care that directly impacts employees’ daily lives. All solutions are designed to be accessible, confidential and adapted to the reality of each organization.
Together with HR, PSF helps build emotionally safe environments where people feel comfortable to speak, ask for help, create, lead and belong. This work is carried out with active listening, empathy and professionalism — essential pillars for turning intention into concrete practice.
When strategically implemented, investment in mental health generates rapid results and, most importantly, long-term impact, contributing to sustainable and continuous development.
Therefore, relying on a specialized partner in the field becomes a valuable asset for any HR department.
Want to learn more?
Visit www.psf.org.br or contact us at [email protected]