WOMEN WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES AND CAREERS: SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: Estimates from the World Health Organization show that around 450 million people meet the criteria for the diagnosis of some type of mental illness, of which 80% live in low -and middle-income countries, the majority being women. This study aims to verify how the issue of mental health and women's career development has been researched and how the stigma of mental illness impacts women's insertion in the labor market and career development, considering the Sustainable Development Goals. Method/approach: Studies on career, gender, mental illness and stigma were used. A systematic review of the literature was carried out, analyzing articles indexed in SciELO, Spell, Scopus and Web of Science, following the Prisma method. Main findings: Academic production is limited to the areas of Medicine and Psychology and to institutions in the Global North. The examined articles indicate that lack of knowledge restricts opportunities for social inclusion of women with mental illnesses; with access to information being an instrument for fostering respect at work. Theoretical, practical/social contributions: Work contributes to the personal fulfillment and autonomy of women with mental illnesses; helps to reduce stigma; in addition to being a condition for guaranteeing human rights, towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is necessary for societies to review conceptions and practices of social inclusion associated with mental suffering, especially at work. Originality/relevance: The theme is original, due to its relevance to the autonomy of so many women who suffer from mental suffering. A research agenda on the subject is proposed.