Psicólogos Sem Fronteiras held a special live event on September 23rd dedicated to an increasingly urgent topic in Brazil: the impact of gambling, debt, and financial habits on mental health and people’s economic future.

Broadcast via the Zoom platform, the event brought together experts from psychology and the financial market to discuss how financial behaviors, impulsive decisions, and economic pressures affect emotional well-being.

Live Participants

The discussion brought together professionals from complementary fields—psychology, neuroscience, and financial education—strengthening a multidisciplinary dialogue. Participants included:

• Matheus Barsi — Manager at Barsi Investimentos and Director of Expansion

• Paloma Conde — Investment Advisor at Barsi Investimentos

• Carlos Costa — Psychologist, specialist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Neuropsychology

• Luciana Santana — Population risk analyst, project coordinator, and Executive Director of Psicólogos Sem Fronteiras, serving as moderator of the discussion

The partnership between Psicólogos Sem Fronteiras and Barsi Investimentos reinforced the importance of integrating mental health and financial education in the current context.

An essential topic for today’s Brazil

With the rapid growth of betting platforms and rising levels of debt among Brazilians, many people face:

• anxiety resulting from financial instability;

• compulsive behaviors related to gambling and betting;

• difficulties in financial planning and organization;

• emotional distress associated with debt;

• impacts on relationships and family life;

• harm to mental health and self-esteem.

The live highlighted that financial problems are rarely just about numbers—they are also emotional issues that directly affect psychological and social well-being.

Key topics discussed

During the event, experts addressed fundamental themes, including:

• how the brain functions in risk-related behaviors;

• psychological triggers that contribute to debt and impulsivity;

• the relationship between anxiety, depression, and hasty financial decisions;

• strategies to prevent gambling addiction;

• the importance of financial education as a protective factor;

• warning signs of emotional distress caused by debt;

• how to integrate psychology and financial advisory services in preventive actions.

Psychologist Carlos Costa provided explanations based on CBT and neuropsychology, while the Barsi Investimentos team presented practical tools and guidance for better financial organization.

Luciana Santana’s moderation connected technical, social, and emotional perspectives, reinforcing the value of interdisciplinary dialogue.

Relevance of the discussion for the public

The live took place amid a context of growing emotional distress caused by:

• economic difficulties;

• increased dependence on gambling;

• social pressure to consume;

• lack of formal financial education.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the need to care for both mental health and finances simultaneously, promoting healthier and more reflective practices.

It also encouraged companies and institutions to include financial education and psychological care in their well-being strategies.

Conclusion

The live promoted by Psicólogos Sem Fronteiras in partnership with Barsi Investimentos marked an important step in understanding the intersection between mental health and financial education. By bringing together specialists with deep knowledge of the emotional impacts of financial decisions, the event provided essential information for prevention, care, and emotional strengthening.

The combination of perspectives offered practical solutions and important guidance for participants, helping them understand emotional triggers that can lead to compulsive gambling behaviors, as well as clarifying the phenomenon of BETS in Brazil, which is often mistakenly presented as an investment. The discussion also included guidance on how to become an investor starting with minimum income.

Psicólogos Sem Fronteiras remains committed to promoting dialogues that expand access to knowledge, reduce emotional suffering, and contribute to the development of a more conscious and emotionally healthy society.