Kindbridge and EPIC Risk Management are delighted to announce a strategic partnership. Together, they will deliver high-quality treatment, education, and prevention techniques to vulnerable populations who may be at risk of, or suffering from, gambling and gaming problematic use. Kindbridge and EPIC are particularly committed to supporting students and professional athletes across the United States – where there is an increased risk of problematic gambling and gaming – to provide mental health services and protect the integrity of these sports. The new collaboration will provide a trusted route to immediate, accessible, and effective prevention and treatment solutions.
Kindbridge is the world’s first teletherapy company focused specifically on delivering first-class, therapist-led treatment to people suffering from gambling and gaming disorders. Kindbridge is working with several major insurance providers across the US, including Medicare, United Healthcare, and Aetna, to lower barrier access to mental health services for problem gamblers.
Their mission is to build the largest network of mental health treatment providers in the United States that focuses on high-quality care for gambling and gaming communities.
The unique mental health challenges presented by gambling and gaming, especially in a virtual treatment setting, are far less researched and understood than other, more traditional mental health concerns. Kindbridge’s teletherapy expertise and experience in treating disorders are being used to establish ‘virtual best practice’ to improve treatment efficacy.
EPIC Risk Management works with some of the world’s biggest organizations, including the NFLPA Professional Athletes Foundation, and has delivered educational programs to 40 plus NCAA Division 1 University, helping to mitigate against the risks and potentially devastating effects of problematic gambling. Experts in the education and prevention space, provide lived experience-led education, awareness, training, and advisory services. Working directly with betting and gaming operators, EPIC empowers them to better identify and interact with vulnerable customers at key trigger points throughout their gambling journeys.
Daniel Umfleet, CEO of Kindbridge, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity to combine the world-class education and training efforts that EPIC provides with the power of a specialist mental health clinic whose aim is to become the first virtual centre of excellence dedicated to high-quality, evidence-based gambling and gaming treatment outcomes.”
Brianne Doura-Schawohl, VP of US Policy and Strategic Development at EPIC Risk Management, says: “Kindbridge and EPIC share many values and approaches to reducing gambling-related harm. EPIC believes that everyone who is struggling with gambling addiction issues should be able to access support and treatment, and Kindbridge’s tailored approach to supporting patient experience means we are proud to call them a partner moving forward.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has fueled a huge rise in gambling. In October 2020, the US witnessed a 225% increase in first-time gamblers since March that year. This will have a knock-on effect on gambling addiction which is already high in the US. The National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG) estimated 5.45m US gamblers were at risk of problem gambling in 2016. Greater awareness and specialist services are needed now more than ever. Kindbridge and EPIC are leading the way with highly effective prevention and treatment solutions.
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Editor’s notes
About Kindbridge
Kindbridge is the world’s first teletherapy company focused specifically on the successful treatment of gamblers and gamers struggling with their mental health. Its mission is to build the largest network of mental health treatment providers in the US who focus on high-quality specialist care for these communities. Visit: kindbridge.com
About EPIC Risk Management
EPIC Risk Management is a world-leading gambling harm minimization consultancy. Working with individuals and organizations in high-risk sectors, it provides awareness, education, and risk management programs to reduce the human, financial, brand, and reputational risks associated with problem gambling. Visit: epicriskmanagement.com