WITH the spring racing carnival almost upon us, the community is being urged to talk about the harms associated with gambling.<\/p>\n
The theme of this year’s Gambling Harm Awareness Week (October 16-22) is Talk. Share. Support. and it aims to encourage and promote the benefits of open conversations about gambling harm.<\/p>\n
The effects of gambling harm can be broad, often leading to financial struggles, relationship difficulties and mental health concerns.<\/p>\n
To provide hope and optimism to those affected by gambling harm, Gambling Harm Awareness Week also strives to promote stories of recovery.<\/p>\n
Hannah* has lived experience of gambling harm and now encourages others to seek support.<\/p>\n
She said her addiction to poker machines affected every aspect of her life.<\/p>\n
“I was absolutely out of control with my gambling and my finances, and I felt like a shell of a person,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I was losing my soul.”<\/p>\n
At the age of 30, Hannah sought help for her gambling from non-profit service organisation Meli (formerly Bethany Community Support).<\/p>\n
Meli access and family safety manager Betti Chapelle said gambling harm did not discriminate.<\/p>\n
“People of all ages or gender can experience harm,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Gambling harm can affect self-esteem, relationships, physical and mental health, work performance and social life.<\/p>\n
“Having open discussions with our friends, family and community helps reduce stigma, which can be a barrier to seeking help.”<\/p>\n
In the last financial year, 28 per cent of the individuals accessing Meli’s Gambler’s Help services were under the age of 34.<\/p>\n
Of those, 8 per cent were under the age of 24.<\/p>\n
Meli’s dedicated Gambler’s Help program includes both therapeutic and financial counselling. For Hannah, the program has taught her strategies to make beneficial financial decisions.<\/p>\n
She now feels secure in the knowledge that she can manage her gambling urges and that her bills will be paid on time.<\/p>\n
“I’ve had quite a good stretch for a couple of years,” Hannah said.<\/p>\n
“Gambling is not really a massive part of my life any more.”<\/p>\n
She said that it had always been a simple process to re-engage with Meli along her journey.<\/p>\n
“The support is there.<\/p>\n
“Just reach out because gambling is soul destroying and you lose yourself along the way.<\/p>\n
“And if you keep going down that path, you can lose your life to it.”<\/p>\n