Ministry of Health expands telehealth service for bettors to 100 consultations.
The Unified Health System (SUS) will begin offering, as of this Tuesday (4), up to 100 monthly telehealth consultations for mental health for people with needs related to games and betting. The service provides remote, confidential and supportive care, with professional guidance and follow-up, as well as support for family members. The initiative expands access to mental health care and functions as an entry point to the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS).
During a visit to the Brazilian Agency for Support to the Management of the SUS (AgSUS) , the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, presented a step-by-step guide to accessing the platform and highlighted the importance of telehealth. “Many times, people don't seek help because of shame or stigma. With the self-test and telehealth, they can identify risk signs and feel more comfortable receiving this care from home, via their cell phone,” he emphasized.
Access is via the Meu SUS Digital app , which directs the user to the AgSUS platform, a partner in the initiative. The team is made up of psychology professionals, nurses, and other healthcare professionals trained to offer qualified listening, with a welcoming, non-judgmental approach focused on each person's needs.
Those who have the Meu SUS Digital app installed on their cell phones have already received a notification about the new telehealth service, with the message: “The SUS has expanded care for those who have problems with gambling and for their families. Schedule an appointment through the Meu SUS Digital app. Care is for everyone, without judgment.” This message is important so that more people know about the service and have timely access to care.
The telehealth service aimed at people with problems related to gambling and betting began in March, initially offering 600 consultations per month, through the Program to Support the Institutional Development of the SUS (Proadi-SUS), in partnership with the Sírio-Libanês Hospital. Due to the high demand for mental health care in the digital environment, the service capacity was expanded to up to 100 telehealth consultations per month.
How to access
To access the service, you need to log in to the Meu SUS Digital app with your gov.br account. Then, the user must click on “Miniapps” and select the option “Now There Are Mental Health Specialists for Those Who Bet”. After completing the self-test, they will be redirected to the AgSUS platform.
On the platform, you must accept the Terms of Use to begin the digital support process and complete a form about your situation. Then, the user fills in their registration details, indicates whether the support is for themselves or a family member, chooses the contact method, and finalizes the request.
Upon completing this step, the system generates a protocol number for tracking the request. After scheduling the appointment, the user automatically receives confirmation of the appointment, the link for the video call, instructions for preparing for the appointment, and reminders about the time and necessary equipment.
Psychological consultations are conducted via video call, last approximately 50 minutes, and preferably take place once a week. The psychology professional may recommend an initial cycle of up to ten sessions, followed by a new evaluation. Based on this evaluation, the patient may be discharged, referred for a new cycle of teleconsultations, or for in-person care.
Within the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS), people with problems related to gambling and betting can rely on services such as Basic Health Units (UBS) and Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS). Currently, Brazil has 3.120 CAPS in operation, distributed throughout the national territory.
warning signs
Among the signs that may indicate a problematic relationship with gambling are changes in sleep, eating habits, or mood; anxiety and irritability when the person is not gambling; difficulty reducing or stopping gambling; and feelings of guilt or shame. Behaviors such as hiding or lying about gambling, compromising budgets or personal and professional relationships, and resorting to gambling as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or frustration also deserve attention.
Self-exclusion platform
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance jointly maintain the Brazilian Health Observatory for Electronic Betting, an initiative focused on monitoring the impacts of betting on health and developing prevention and care actions. Among the tools provided by the observatory is the Centralized Self-Exclusion Platform, which allows citizens to request the voluntary blocking of their CPF (Brazilian taxpayer identification number) to prevent access to authorized betting platforms.
More than 1 million people have already requested to self-exclude their CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID) through the tool. Among users, 35% indicated loss of control over gambling as the reason for the request. Other reasons given were the voluntary decision to stop betting (15,26%), financial difficulties (11,82%), and recommendation from a healthcare professional (1,32%).
During the World Cup period alone, from June 11 to July 19, 387.645 citizens requested to have their CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID) blocked. This number represents 38% of the total self-exclusions registered by the platform.
