This article will address the question of how the mental health/illness and work are related to psychology, more specially to social psychology. It will present theoretical and methodological principles and aspects in common or not. We intent to search the fundamental of each theory in a way to avoid the arbitral use of different concepts and methodologies. We intent to identify in stress theories, an emphasis in the cognitive and behavioral theories, in the quantitative methodology and a proximity to Scientific Social Psychologist concepts. We also identify the model of science and research from Psychoanalyze in the Dejours' theory. We recognize principles participate with the Critical Historical Social Psychologist in the studies and some research based on epidemic and diagnostic model and in studies and research about subjective and work. The first group emphasizes the psychopathology diagnostic and the second group the workers' experiences.
mental health; work; theorical models