Are you a person from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community who is worried about your gambling?
Gambling is ok if it’s within our means and just for fun. While most people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can gamble without any issues, some may experience consequences that affect both themselves and their mob. Such consequences can include not having enough money, feeling worried or stressed, and arguments with others.
If gambling has become an issue, you might feel like you are losing your connection to your spirit, identity, family, culture, or beliefs. Gambling is a risky business, and when it takes over, it can affect your whole life.
If you suspect that gambling is causing some problems for you, help is available. Various support and counselling services are available that can help you get back on track.
Are you worried about the gambling of a family member or friend from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community?
If you’re worried about the gambling of a family member or friend, it’s important to understand that gambling is ok if it’s within our means and just for fun. While most people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can gamble without any issues, some may experience consequences that affect both themselves and their mob. These problems can include not having enough money, feeling worried or stressed, and arguments with others.
If you are worried about someone’s gambling, you might be concerned they are losing their connection to their spirit, identity, family, culture, or beliefs. Gambling is a risky business, and when it takes over, it can affect a person’s whole life.
If you suspect that your family member or friend’s gambling is causing some problems, you can encourage them to get some help. Various support and counselling services are available that can help them get back on track.
Are you worried about the gambling of someone from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community?
Many professionals will come into contact with people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities who have issues with their gambling. It’s important to understand that gambling is ok if it’s within our means and just for fun. While most people from these communities can gamble without any issues, some may experience consequences that affect both themselves and their families. These problems can include not having enough money, feeling worried or stressed, and arguments with others.
If you are worried about someone’s gambling, you might be concerned they are losing their connection to their spirit, identity, family, culture, or beliefs. Gambling is a risky business, and when it takes over, it can affect a person’s whole life.
If you suspect that someone from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community is having issues with their gambling, it’s essential to be compassionate and understanding. You can support people who are struggling with their gambling and encourage them to get help. Various support and counselling services are available that can help them get back on track.
Is gambling affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?
Gambling is affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. People in these communities suffer more harm from gambling and don’t ask for help as much as people from other communities. Poker machines cause the most harm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Betting on horses, dogs and sports, as well as playing backyard bingo and cards, also leads to harm.
Do you want to yarn about gambling?
It’s important to know that people can cut down or give up gambling. It’s possible but it can be challenging, and some days may be harder than others. This is why you might need some help and support.
You could reconnect and start the yarning circle with your family.
You can also get free support. Culturally appropriate support is available from gambling help services. Some states and territories have dedicated services to help people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Gambling counsellors can provide tips and ideas about how to manage your gambling.
If you’re worried about money, a financial counsellor can help you get on top of your money worries. They can help you create a basic budget, organise your bills and debts, and communicate with people who are asking for money.
Together, you can take back your power over gambling and strengthen your spirit. Be brave and start yarning about gambling.
Do you want more help?
You can contact 13 YARN on 13 92 76, which is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Crisis Supporter.
To find out more about how to get help with your gambling, you can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members or friends.
Do you want to help your family member or friend to yarn about gambling?
It’s important to know that people can cut down or give up gambling. It’s possible but it can be challenging, and some days may be harder than others. This is why your family member or friend might need some help and support.
You could help them reconnect and start the yarning circle with their family.
You can also encourage them to get free gambling support. Culturally appropriate support is available from gambling help services. Some states and territories have dedicated services to help people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Gambling counsellors can provide tips and ideas about how to manage their gambling.
If they’re worried about money, you could also suggest they see a financial counsellor to help them get on top of their money worries. They can help them create a simple budget, organise their bills and debts, and communicate with people who are asking for money.
Together, you and your family member or friend can take back their power over gambling and strengthen their spirit. Encourage them to be brave and start yarning about gambling.
Do you want more help?
You or your family member or friend can contact 13 YARN on 13 92 76, which is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Crisis Supporter.
To find out more about how to help your family member or friend, you or your family member or friend can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members or friends like you. It’s not only the person who gambles that can be affected, but the people close to them too. It’s important to take care of yourself when you’re supporting someone else. Check out the family and friends section in our peer support community to connect with people who understand.
Do you want to help someone yarn about gambling?
It’s important to know that people can cut down or give up gambling. It’s possible but it can be challenging, and some days may be harder than others. This is why the person you’re concerned about might need some help and support.
As a professional, you could help them reconnect and start the yarning circle with their family.
You can also encourage them to get free gambling support. Culturally appropriate support is available from gambling help services. Some states and territories have dedicated services to help people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Gambling counsellors can provide tips and ideas about how to manage their gambling.
If they’re worried about money, you could also suggest they see a financial counsellor to help them get on top of their money worries. They can help them create a simple budget, organise their bills and debts, and communicate with people who are asking for money.
Together, you and the person you’re concerned about can take back their power over gambling and strengthen their spirit. Encourage them to be brave and start yarning about gambling.
Do you want more help?
You or the person you’re concerned about can contact 13 YARN on 13 92 76, which is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Crisis Supporter.
To find out more about how to help someone from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, you or the person you’re working with can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members, friends, and professionals like you. It can be hard for professionals to support people with gambling issues. To learn more about how you can help, go to our section on How Professionals Can Help.
