It's Problem Gambling Awareness Month

The National Council on Problem Gambling defines it as all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.

Symptoms

Increasing preoccupation with gambling
A need to bet more money more frequently
“Chasing” losses (betting even more to try to recoup previous losses)
Restlessness/irritability when trying to stop
Loss of control manifested by continuation of gambling despite mounting, serious, negative consequences.
In extreme cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family, or even suicide ($7 billion social cost in America alone!)

Below you will find a variety of local and national resources as well as events in our state this month. Each newsletter in March will feature a problem gambling section in addition to other topics. Stay tuned!

What is Problem Gambling?

Get Help - Click to enlarge

Gambling Information & Resources

Hosting an event? You can submit a request for the new resource van.

Learn more.

Local Treatment Resources

Click logos to visit websites

Gambling Disorder Screening Day Toolkit

This year's Screening Day Toolkit has even more free resources to make hosting Screening Day easier than ever. Any provider or organization can host. Registration is not required to use these free resources. If you are interested in becoming a registered host this year, email info@divisiononaddiction.org.

RESOURCES IN SPANISH

Download resouorces in Spanish.

5-Minute Survey: Share Your Thoughts

This survey is for adults ages 18 and older who live in Connecticut. Please take 5 minutes to share your thoughts and experiences with gambling, gaming, substance use, and mental health. Take survey now.

Visit thehubct.org/gambling for more information.

Events from The Hub

Check out all of The Hub's upcoming events HERE

Other Community Events

Let Them Thrive Virtual Workshop: Put It Into Practice

Eventbrite - Wilton Youth Council presents Let Them Thrive Virtual Workshop: Put It Into Practice - Thursday, March 9, 2023 - Find event and ticket information.

Disclaimer: The Hub shares information and resources on a variety of behavioral health topics. We do not endorse specific events, policies or agencies.

Looking for a Training or Presentation from The Hub?

You can now request one on our website! Visit thehubct.org/training.

Resources

Past Programs and Recordings

In case you missed these events, you can watch the recorded presentations on their website. Recent presentations include:

Helping Families Navigate Mental Health & Suicide Conversations with Kids
Parenting Teens in a Digital World - for Preschool & Elementary and Middle School and High School
Recreational Cannabis: What Families Should Know

Listen Here

Advocacy Corner

NAMI Connecticut Public Policy Committee Meeting

The NAMI Connecticut Public Policy Committee will be this Thursday, March 9th, 2023, from 6:30-8pm. It will be an online meeting.

To obtain the ZOOM meeting ID and password, please be sure to register for the meeting by clicking here.

Submit Testimony

Nothing is more powerful than your story. It is a testament to your journey. When concise, focused, and tailored to an issue, your words— your personal experience—can affect meaningful change. View the current list of campaigns and learn how you can get involved.

Advocacy - Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling

The 2023 Connecticut General Assembly Regular Session will convene on January 4th and will adjourn on June 7th, 2023. The expansion of legalized gambling in Connecticut has had a significant impact on the problem gambling community and we have several legislative proposals that we will be working with legislators on to continue to strengthen our state's problem gambling safety net.

Visit thehubct.org/advocacy for more information.

In the News

Teen mental health is in crisis, study shows. What can parents do?

Results from a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey add to the evidence that teen mental health is in crisis, with particularly concerning numbers surrounding teen girls. The survey found around 1 in 3 high school girls in the U.S. have seriously considered attempting suicide and more than half of teen girls, 57%, reported feeling "persistently sad or hopeless" — a record high.

Increased social media use linked to development of eating disorders, research shows

Andrea Vazzana, a child psychologist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders in children, adolescents and adults at NYU Langone, said the negative influence of social media is largely owed to the amount of social comparisons that are part of engaging in these social media platforms.