May is a big month in the realm of problem gambling. The NBA and NHL playoffs are both underway, testing the constitution of those who may struggle with compulsive sports betting. But that’s just the tip of the berg because there’s more to shine a spotlight on. Please read ahead for further insight.
May 2024 Developments Regarding Problem Gambling that America Needs to Know About
Mental Health Awareness Month in America
May is Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) in the USA. MHAM began in 1949 and was started by Mental Health America. The theme for this year’s edition about is empowerment. Mental Health America’s goal for the month ahead is to help Americans accomplish the following:
- LEARN how modern life affects mental health with new resources to navigate our changing world.
- ACT by building your coping toolbox so you can manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations.
- ADVOCATE to improve mental health for yourself, your friends and family, and your community.
Borrowing from this theme (and for the purpose of our problem gambling news update) Kindbridge Behavioral Health is drawing attention to resources that we have available to those who may have a problematic relationship with gambling.
LEARN
Do you think that you may have a problem with sports betting and/or casino gaming? Might you also struggle with a cooccurring mental health issue? Or is your concern for a loved one? The following tools will help individuals identify whether or not they need help, and subsequently learn more about their disorder. Please complete the following as they may apply to you (or a loved one):
- Take 5-min problem gambling quiz
- Take 5-min anxiety disorder assessment
- Take 5-min stress assessment
- Take 5-min depression assessment
ACT
If any of the assessments above unearthed a potential for problem gambling and/or cooccurring disorder, we encourage you to act now and get help. Click below to initiate support:
- Gambling disorder treatment for individuals (one-on-one)
- Gambling disorder treatment for individuals (group)
- Gambling disorder treatment for families
ADVOCATE
While great strides have been made in reducing the stigma about mental health, a large number of Americans continue to avoid therapy (for these reasons). Greater advocacy is required to eradicate remaining barriers, and this advocacy begins with you and those in your immediate circle. Take a page from NFL star Isaiah Rodgers, who recently opened up to Kindbridge about how therapy has been beneficial in his journey. Check out the resources below on how you can connect to others regarding problem gambling (if/when ready):
- Talking to your boyfriend/husband about problem gambling
- Talking to your girlfriend/wife about problem gambling
- Talking to your parent about problem gambling
- Talking to your child about problem gambling
- How to tell your family you have a gambling problem
- How to help someone with gambling addiction
Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada
It’s also an important month for our neighbors in Canada. May 6-12 is Mental Health Week (MHW), with the theme being centered on the healing power of compassion. This theme circles back to what we referenced above with respect to advocacy. Reference the linked resources above to show compassion to a loved one who may struggle with gambling disorder. If you happen to reside in Ontario, you’ll be please to know that Kindbridge operates a problem gambling helpline in Ontario along with online counseling and therapy services.
Operator Collaboration with Kindbridge Offers Positive Early Indicators
We conclude this monthly report with a promising update regarding recent collaborations between Kindbridge and America’s biggest sports betting operators – DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. Since each opted into a program to provide vulnerable (to problem gambling) members of their player bases with access to Kindbridge support services, there has been a notable uptick in gambling disorder screenings and counseling/therapy sessions:
We hope these early indicators inspire other operators to follow suit. View more on what happens when sports betting operators invest in player health support right here.
Stay tuned for more as stories develop.
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