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To combat problem gambling and promote mental health within the Province of Neuquén, Argentina, the Provincial Institute of Games of Chance of Neuquén (IJAN) and the Ministry of Health have signed a long-term cooperation agreement. The project shall develop and foster territorial actions, joint training activities, and community interventions for pathological gambling and other such problematic behaviors, with or without substance use.
The agreement, signed between IJAN President Raúl Béttiga and Health Minister of Neuquén Martín Regueiro, will run until December 2027. It is a significant measure toward the integration of public health and gambling regulation activities in the province.
A Collective Approach to Mental Health and Risk Behaviors
Paula Alegría, Director of Mental Health of the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “The aim is to get public mental health policies together from a care perspective from the community, to prevent problematic consumption“. This model favors the value of integrated and community-focused strategies for dealing with addiction and mental illness.
The collaboration will involve organizing and facilitating workshops, awareness events, and the dissemination of educational materials throughout the province. The core of the project will be within the healthcare network, specifically community health centers, where prevention and early detection can be a make-or-break point.
Focus on Responsible Gambling Through IJAN’s Programs
Consistent with its social responsibility mission, IJAN will be at the forefront of support and counseling by way of its “Programa de Orientación y Promoción para un Juego Responsable” (Guidance and Promotion Program for Responsible Gaming). This provides advisory services not only to gamblers but also to their social circles and families.
They aim to recognize early warning signs of gambling damage and offer practical prevention and treatment options. They have such tools of self-exclusion, public campaigns, and collaboration with nearby addiction and mental health experts.
Raúl Béttiga assured IJAN’s dedication to the issue’s comprehensive solution: “We believe that the promotion of responsible gambling is a significant component of our institutional mission. Through this partnership, we can further broaden the scope of our influence and make our prevention efforts more effective.”
Strategic Role in Public Health Planning
The Ministry of Health has already prioritized mental health and prevention of addiction within the Provincial Health Plan. Through collaboration with IJAN, the Ministry is working to enhance its capacity to deliver integrated and sustainable services accessible to vulnerable populations throughout Neuquén.
The program supports other initiatives by provincial governments to redefine mental health as a public and social issue, not simply a clinically based one. The program structure is also in line with international movements toward multi-disciplinary intervention approaches for behavioral addictions.
Next Steps and Community Engagement
In the coming few months, IJAN and the Ministry of Health will be conducting a calendar of activities, which also involves media campaigns and provincial workshops aimed at raising awareness about problem gambling and mental health. They will also be developing education materials and guides for health professionals, teachers, and community leaders.
Through the convergence of regulatory expertise and public health data, the Neuquén government seeks to reduce stigma for addiction and promote a culture of care for all forms of problematic consumption.
The alliance is a shifting understanding of harm from gambling and the need for preventive, community-based action. As the accord unfolds, it can serve as a model for other provinces seeking to balance economic interests in gaming with public health responsibilities.
Source: YogoNet
