Problem Gambling Awareness Month

S.E.E It – Support, Educate, and Engage to Reduce Gambling Harm

In honor of Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), NYS OASAS and the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) is encouraging everyone across New York State – individuals, agencies and communities alike – to come together to Support, Educate, and Engage to reduce gambling harm.

National Gambling Disorder Screening Day is March 12, 2024. This is an opportunity to become more familiar with the screening process and provide resources to continue the practice of screening for problem gambling even after #PGAM.

The NY Council on Problem Gambling has developed a toolkit with everything you need to host a screening day event of your own.

What is Gambling Disorder Screening Day?Gambling Disorder leads to financial, emotional, social, occupational, and physical harms, yet many cases go undetected and untreated. Failure to detect gambling harm is due, in part, to limited screening for this problem. Gambling Disorder Screening Day is an international grassroots event designed to increase awareness of gambling harm, and support and encourage providers to screen for Gambling Disorder in a variety of settings. This event was established by the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard medical school teaching hospital in 2014. Screening Day occurs every year on the second Tuesday of Problem Gambling Awareness Month (March).Why should I participate in Screening Day?Screening Day supports patient- and client-facing organizations in identifying individuals who may have Gambling Disorder and who should seek further assessment by building the capacity of these organizations to screen through free educational materials, tools, and resources. On a larger scale, Screening Day normalizes, raises awareness of, and encourages conversations about Gambling Disorder. Your involvement – whether as a Screening Day Host or as a Supporter – is vital to the success of this event.How can I participate in Screening Day?There are two main ways to participate in Screening Day:

Hosts, also called Screeners, are client-facing individuals or organizations (such as mental health providers) who conduct Gambling Disorder screens with their patients/clients on Screening Day.

Supporters are non-client-facing individuals or organizations who support the mission of Screening Day. Supporters spread awareness about screening for Gambling Disorder and promote Screening Day.

                                                                                                                                                                             --Information provided by the Cambridge Health Alliance

For more information about problem gambling please visit https://oasas.ny.gov/gambling.