GamCare is an independent charity and the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms across Great Britain.They offer a wide menu of free, flexible and confidential support to those affected by gambling problems, as well as a range of training, outreach and risk reduction programmes.
We asked Urtha Felda GamCare outreach officer for Wales to tell us more about the support services provided by GamCare.
Anyone can be affect by problem gambling
Tell us a little bit about GamCare
We are aware that organisations are likely to
encounter individuals who are negatively impacted by their own, or someone
else’s, gambling behaviour.
GamCare is an independent charity and we are the
leading provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by
problem gambling across England, Scotland and Wales. We offer a wide menu of
free, flexible, and confidential support to those affected by gambling harms.
We support around 40,000 each year through our Helpline and treatment services.
Our team can support your clients to change their relationship with gambling and improve their quality of life through face to face, online and telephone therapeutic interventions. There is no wrong door to accessing our treatment services – clients can refer themselves, or you can do this on their behalf.
Why
do people gamble?
“Why
do I gamble when it causes so much damage?”
“Why
can’t I just stop?”
“Why
am I putting myself through this?”
The
answer is rarely a simple one.
Many
people gamble as a fun past time, but for many others gambling can become a
serious problem.
It
can sometimes feel like the urge to gamble is completely out of their control.
Many people find themselves unable to explain why they continue to gamble
despite the problems it causes in their everyday lives.
You
may be tempted to say ‘for the money’, perhaps for that ‘big win’, but this
rarely the whole truth. When the gambler wins, more often than not they spend
their winnings on gambling more, and keep going until they have nothing left.
This can leave them feeling trapped, like there is no way out of the cycle.
Problems
with gambling can often represent problems elsewhere in someone’s life. Perhaps
they tend to gamble at certain times, or when they begin to feel a certain way
– as a way of escaping from something else they are not ready to deal with
yet. Gambling may also have been a part of someone’s life since they were
young, and can make them feel safer for a short time.
Anyone
can be affect by problem gambling. If someone lives with problem gambling then
other people connected to them will also be harmed by the consequences of
problem gambling. 1/3rd of
families of problem gamblers do not have enough money to buy food or pay for
rent. Problem gambling leads to debt,
poor mental and physical health, family breakdown and suicide ideation. Other people affected could be colleagues,
friends, or family. GamCare series are
available for anyone affected,
information, advice and support is available today.
Problem gambling leads to debt, poor mental and physical health
Are
there any particular groups of people in society who are most at risk from problem
gambling
There
are many explanations as to why people develop gambling problems. We know there are some groups more at risk of
becoming vulnerable to problem gambling than others. People living in areas of high deprivation
are more at risk, anyone experiencing poor mental health, people who have lived
with traumatic experiences, a child growing up in a problem gambling household
is 4 times more likely to develop problem gambling as an adult. This is not an exhaustive list, nor do all
vulnerable people develop problem gambling.
Looking at risk factors is helpful to assist us in identifying people who
may be a risk.
What
effects does gambling have on the health and wellbeing of the family of an problem
gambler?
The
impacts for families is wide and includes debt, poor mental health, family
breakdown, homelessness. The trauma of
losing one's home can leave lasting anxiety issues, as does the stress of not
knowing when someone may gamble again.
Problem gambling is recognised as safeguarding issue, because the impact
on the family and children is so wide.
Problem gambling affects families
What
barriers might prevent people from accessing gambling support and how do you
work to overcome those?
Lack
of knowledge is the biggest barrier to accessing services. An increased awareness by health and support professionals
would assist others accessing the help on offer, and getting the treatment
needed today. other barriers could be that a person does not recognise the
problem, or is in denial, or due to the stigma they feel too ashamed to come
forward and ask for help.
The
right environment sending the message that no one will be judged because of
their gambling, and that this is a safe place to talk about gambling, will help
people share the problem and access the help they need.
Are
there particular issues which arise in rural areas like Powys for people with problem
gambling?
The
biggest issues in rural areas is accessing the right services – this is equally
so for problem gambling support, especially when gambling is less recognised as
a health problem.. Statistics across the
health range show a higher health inequality for rural areas. Being a gambler in a rural area has been shown
to increase a number of risk factors, in particular the likelihood of suicide.
CAB can help with both debt and addiction counselling.
Do
you work closely with any other organisations or statutory services to
provide support to people?
GamCare
has a strong relationship with CAB debt advice service. Anyone experiencing problem gambling will
benefit for both debt and addiction counselling.
To
access support today…
Phone the
National Gambling Helpline 24/7 0808 8020 133
aragamblingservice@recovery4all.co.uk
0330 134 0286.
A particularly
inspiring example of someone that has
recovered from problem gambling is Kelly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP_bYyQ1SWw
If anyone would like to discuss accessing support they can contact Urtha Felda at GamCare
by Email Urtha.Felda@gamlcare.org.uk
by phone 07869
998110
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