Brazil Health Ministry has launched the Care Guide for People with Problems Related to Gambling.
The Ministry of Health has officially launched the Care Guide for People with Problems Related to Gambling, a policy document designed to support prevention, monitoring, and treatment within the Unified Health System (SUS). The guide provides structured, practical guidance for public healthcare teams, with a particular focus on professionals working in the Psychosocial Care Network.
According to the Ministry, care for individuals affected by gambling-related problems should be integrated across multiple levels of the health system. The framework outlines coordinated pathways from primary care to Psychosocial Support Centers (CAPS), hospitals, and emergency services, depending on the severity of each case. This approach aims to ensure continuity of care and timely intervention.
The guide advocates evidence-based principles such as active listening, patient autonomy, care in freedom, and harm reduction. These methodologies are intended to reduce stigma while improving engagement and treatment outcomes for affected individuals. The publication aligns healthcare responses with broader mental health strategies already in place within SUS.
The initiative is part of a wider national plan that also includes the Care Line for People with Gambling-Related Problems, a centralized self-exclusion platform, and the creation of a Brazilian Gambling Health Observatory. The self-exclusion platform allows individuals to request blocking access to gambling websites while receiving guidance on seeking treatment through public healthcare services.
Meanwhile, the Observatory, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Treasury, will enhance data collection and analysis related to gambling behavior. This data-driven approach is expected to support prevention, regulation, and targeted care at regional levels.
Through these combined measures, the Ministry of Health aims to strengthen mental health protection, improve regulatory oversight, and provide accessible, humane care for gambling-related harm nationwide.
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