Brazil: Senator Links Psychiatric Policy to Gambling

Brazil – May 29, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), in a speech this Tuesday (27), warned about the mental health crisis in Ceará. According to him, hospital beds are “overloaded” due to the increase in patients with mental disorders. The situation, in the senator’s opinion, is directly linked to the anti-asylum policy, which has been intensified by a resolution from the National Council of Justice (CNJ).

— As a result, convicted criminals serving their sentences in psychiatric custody hospitals are being released, posing a great danger to society. We approved the holding of a public hearing in the Senate to listen to experts, all of whom oppose the CNJ’s decision. In addition to the Federal Council of Medicine, we heard from the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry — which gathers over 10,000 doctors — the Brazilian Medical Association, and the National Federation of Doctors. The main criticism from all of them was the lack of infrastructure in the SUS — he stated.

The senator also criticized the poor infrastructure of the Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS). In Ceará, the capital city Fortaleza has 16 units to serve around 2.4 million inhabitants. Throughout Brazil, there are 3,019 CAPS spread across 1,910 municipalities.

Girão also mentioned the impact of sports betting on the mental health of the population in Brazil. He reported recent suicide cases linked to gambling addiction and mentioned that even Bolsa Família funds have been used by citizens to place bets. The senator criticized the Chamber of Deputies for removing the restrictions that had been included by the Senate in the legislation regulating online betting (Law 14.790 of 2023).

— Unfortunately, the Chamber removed the restrictions that the Senate had added to regulate sports betting. Now we are witnessing the consequences. A massive amount of money is involved — about R$ 20 to R$ 30 billion per month — and even Bolsa Família funds are being used. Even worse, this is leading to unemployment — he warned.

Senate Agency (Reproduction authorized with citation of Agência Senado)
Source: Agência Senado
Edited by: @_fonta – www.zonadeazar.com