Gambling addiction, particularly with the rise of online gambling and sports betting sites, is a growing mental health concern in the Philippines. Psychiatrists warn that this issue is often overlooked and needs to be addressed urgently.
Dr. Paolo Woodruff Gonzales, a psychiatrist at the Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine of the Southern Philippine Medical Center (IPBM-SPMC) and the director for Mindanao of the Philippine Psychiatrists Association, highlights the severity of the problem. He explains that individuals with gambling problems struggle to control their impulses and cannot stop gambling or placing bets. Once they start playing, they are in a zone, and as long as they have access to money, they can't stop. They may take out loans, incur debts, or even sell belongings to continue playing, creating more problems.
While gambling addiction is not yet widely recognized as a public health issue, Dr. Gonzales believes that it will soon be considered a major mental health concern by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH). He emphasizes the importance of recognizing gambling addiction as a mental health problem and encouraging people to seek treatment and rehabilitation. There is still hope for recovery. By seeing it as a mental health issue, we can encourage people to go into treatment and get the support they need.
The stigma associated with mental health issues, including gambling addiction, often prevents people from seeking help. Dr. Gonzales stresses the importance of recognizing gambling addiction as a mental health problem and encouraging people to seek treatment and rehabilitation. There is still hope for recovery. By seeing it as a mental health issue, we can encourage people to go into treatment and get the support they need.
In response to the growing concern, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has denounced online gambling as a "mental health plague," warning of its growing influence, particularly among the poor. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David expressed alarm over how easily accessible online gambling has become, exacerbated by celebrity endorsements and its round-the-clock availability. He stated that online gambling is made available 24/7, more lucrative than traditional casinos, promoted by paid celebrities, accessible to Filipinos of all age levels, totally unregulated, wrecking the lives of poor people who get addicted to it.
In light of this phenomenon, the Bishops' Conference calls on institutions to declare any form of online gambling illegal and recognize that gambling addiction is a public health problem that should be addressed with appropriate education, legislation, and treatment. Alternatively, the government is urged to introduce appropriate controls on online payment systems so that they do not become easy access to online gambling sites, in order to protect young people.
Parishes and all Catholic communities are urged to help individuals and families affected by gambling and not to remain silent or passive. They invite every conscientious person to consider the good of the nation, society, young people, and their souls. The Church is not against any form of entertainment or leisure activity. But when pleasure becomes slavery and entertainment becomes a cause of the destruction of life, we must cry out and warn.
In conclusion, gambling addiction, particularly online gambling, poses significant mental health challenges in the Philippines. Recognizing it as a public health issue and implementing appropriate measures are crucial steps toward mitigating its impact on individuals and society.