Brazil’s public health system (SUS) has increased its monthly capacity from 600 to 100,000 telehealth consultations for people facing problems related to online gaming and betting. The initiative took effect this Tuesday (Aug. 4).

The service was launched in March and handled an average of 600 calls per month. According to the Ministry of Health, the expansion was necessary due to high demand.

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The service is available through the Meu SUS Digital app and is provided in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the Brazilian Agency for Support to SUS Management (AgSUS).

The service offers remote, confidential, and supportive care, providing professional guidance and follow-up while connecting users to the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS).

Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that more than 1 million people have requested the self-exclusion of their Brazilian tax ID numbers (CPF)-required to access gambling websites and apps-through the Centralized Self-Exclusion Platform, a tool operated by the Brazil Health Observatory on Electronic Gambling.

The figures also show that 35 percent of people initiated self-exclusion due to a loss of control over their gambling behavior.

Among the warning signs listed by the ministry are:

• changes in sleep, eating habits, or mood;
• lying to family and friends about gambling;
• feelings of shame and guilt related to gambling;
• anxiety, irritability, and restlessness when not gambling;
• using gambling as a way to cope with stress or frustration;
• difficulty cutting back on or stopping gambling;
• strained personal and professional relationships;
• increased use of alcohol and other drugs; and
• financial problems affecting personal or family finances due to gambling expenses.

The risk factors listed by the ministry include:

• early exposure to gambling;
• easy access to online gambling;
• seeking emotional relief or an escape from problems;
• a history of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety;
• impulsivity and the pursuit of immediate rewards;
• social and cultural influences that romanticize gambling;
• loneliness and social isolation; and
• social vulnerability.