Saúde mental e abandono acadêmico: narrativas de um adoecimento silencioso

Objective: To understand the emotional and mental health implications in the experiences of students who dropped out of higher education, based on Vincent Tinto’s theoretical framework. Methods: A qualitative study grounded in the clinical-qualitative method, conducted at a federal public university in northern Paraná between January and April 2025. Participants were students who discontinued their undergraduate studies in the first semester of 2024. Data were fully transcribed and analyzed using the clinical-qualitative content analysis technique. Results: Three analytical units emerged: “The university that makes one ill,” “When the student doubts themselves,” and “The invisible burden of family and financial hardships on university persistence.” The findings reveal that withdrawal is not limited to academic dropout but expresses psychological exhaustion. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgency of university practices based on listening, support, and strengthening of bonds to ensure student retention. As a limitation, the sensitivity of the topics addressed and the absence of longitudinal follow-up are noted, factors that indicate the need for future investigations offering a broader and more dynamic understanding of university dropout linked to mental health.