News

Gamblers Help and Financial Counselling Service for Koori community

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 04:39:00

A new Gambler’s Help Service in the Mallee is providing targeted support for Koori people who are struggling with gambling-related issues.

Mallee District Aboriginal Services said its new Gambler’s Help and Financial Counselling Service was among three Koori-specific initiatives in regional Victoria funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.
MDAS Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager Raelene Stephens said the services recognised that, in the past, gambling had often been overlooked as a factor in addressing the needs of clients.
“Gambling has probably gone a little bit under the radar as we have been more focussed on issues around alcohol and drugs and family concerns,” Ms Stephens said.
“But for a significant number of our clients, our anecdotal and clinical experience tells us that gambling issues can be a big barrier to getting their lives on track.”
MDAS now has in place a dedicated Gambler’s Help Counsellor and a Financial Counselling Service.  Ms Stephens said the organisation was also implementing processes to better identify the extent of the problem gambling issue.
“Questions about gambling habits aren’t something we have asked clients about in our screening processes in the past, but that has now changed,” she said. 
“The reality is that clients need to address all of their contributing issues so they can move towards a holistic and successful outcome.  For some of our clients, that means resolving issues around gambling, and this Responsible Gambling Foundation initiative means we have the specialised staff in place to help them do that.”
MDAS Gambler’s Help Counsellor Richard Vaughan is well known for his previous work with a number of community organisations in the Mallee and said providing culturally appropriate services was important.
“It’s an important aspect of encouraging people to seek help because cultural barriers can be a real obstacle to people reaching out,” he said.
“Gambling is part of the Australian culture and there are so many different ways to gamble, from the horses, to the pokies to bingo.  Gambling itself is not the problem – it’s problem gambling that’s the issue for individuals, their families and the community.
“We know problem gambling is something that occurs across the community, not just for the Koori community. 
“But having a service that is culturally-appropriate to Koori people we think will be a big step forward in helping people make changes to move forward with their lives.”
People wanting to access the MDAS Gambler’s Help or Financial Counselling Services can contact the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Team on 5018 4100.