SUS expands mental health telecare to people with gambling addiction

The professional may indicate an initial cycle of up to ten sessions, followed by a new assessment. Based on this assessment, the patient may be discharged, referred for a new cycle of teleconsultations or for in-person care. The Ministry of Health reported that anyone who has the Meu SUS Digital application installed on their cell phone has already received a notification. "SUS has expanded care for those who have problems with gambling and for family members. Make an appointment via the Meu SUS Digital app. Care is for everyone, without judgment", says the message with the warning from the Ministry of Health. Looking for services The Ministry of Health launched the service in March in partnership with Hospital Sírio-Libanês, with an initial offer of 600 monthly teleservices. Now, according to the ministry, the service capacity is being expanded to up to 100,000 teleservices per month. The reason for the expansion, according to the ministry, is the high demand for mental health care in the digital environment. The Ministry of Health warned that changes in sleep, eating or mood, anxiety and irritability when the person is not playing are signs of a problematic relationship with gambling and gambling. Bets regulation Last month, the Ministry of Finance published rules for online betting advertising — known as bets — and established that all bet advertising must be accompanied by a warning, similar to what happens with advertisements for cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. In December 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) sanctioned the law to regulate the online sports betting market in Brazil. The law taxes companies and bettors, as well as defining rules for the operation of betting and for the distribution of resources collected by the government from the activity.