South Australia has a vibrant, multicultural community. Each year we welcome thousands of new migrants to our state. However, if you have moved from overseas, it can be challenging to transition to a new culture.
Gambling harm is one of the most common challenges – especially when you don’t speak English well, which makes it hard to know where and how to get help.
Many people from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background are more likely to experience the effects of gambling harm, which include:
- homelessness
- debt and financial strain
- family and relationship breakdown.
How do I know if I need help?
It can be hard to know if your gambling has crossed the line from being a fun activity, to being a problem in your life. Recognising the signs will help you understand your gambling and decide if you need to seek outside help.
What are the signs of gambling harm in someone else?
Do you have a friend or family member who might be experiencing gambling harm? If you’re not sure, think about the following signs, which could indicate a problem with gambling:
- Are they spending more and more time gambling?
- Are they hiding their gambling?
- Do they always seem to have no money?
- Do they borrow money to gamble?
- Are bills going unpaid?
- Is gambling affecting their work?
- Are they being secretive about money, financial records or absences?
If someone else’s gambling is hurting you, we can support you. We can also provide guidance about how to help them, even if they are not ready.
What can communities do?
Communities can play a significant role in reducing gambling harm and supporting recovery. Here are some ideas:
- Try to avoid shaming or isolating anyone who is experiencing gambling harm. This can make the situation worse. With commitment and collective effort, communities can learn to be non-judgmental and develop empathy for the people affected.
- If you are a leader in the community, make it your responsibility to improve the community’s knowledge about gambling and problematic gambling, challenge negative attitudes and encourage people to seek help.
- Create community ambassadors who are ready to speak about their own experiences with gambling harm. This will help reduce stigma and shame in others, and encourage them to seek help early on.
- Create material resources such as pamphlets or videos in your own community language. The more information available to your community, the better.
How to get help now
Do you think you might have a problem with gambling? If so, you are not alone. It’s important not to feel ashamed – we are here to help.
Don’t be embarrassed because you can’t speak English well. We will provide an interpreter for you. Our supportive staff are also trained to understand your specific cultural needs.
Call PEACE Multicultural Services on (08) 8245 8100 during business hours or visit the website www.askpeace.org.au.
If it’s an emergency, you can get help 24 hours/7 days per week by calling the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858