PGAM 2024
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. With gambling opportunities expanding at rapid rates in New York State and beyond, it’s imperative that all factions of the community, in all geographic areas of the state, join forces around the issue of problem gambling. We need to collaborate to raise awareness of problem gambling, prevent any additional problems related to gambling, and get those in need to adequate support services in their own community.
There are many ways you can get involved in Problem Gambling Awareness Month!
Host a Screening Day
March 12th, 2024 is Screening Day – On screening day we encourage everyone to screen for gambling disorder. Use our screening day quick start guide to get started. Our screening day toolkit has all the information you need to host a successful event.
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.
Connect With Your Local Problem Gambling Resource Center
Schedule a training or get materials to share at your organization. The PGRC’s are here to educate you about problem gambling and connect those adversely affected to resources and support.
Attend the NYCPG Annual Conference
Join us in Albany, NY March 5th – 7th, 2024 as we continue to Support, Educate and Engage to reduce gambling harm at our annual conference. Register Here – We hope to see you there!
Most importantly we want to here from you! What are you doing to help raise awareness during PGAM ?
Make sure to let us know:
SHARE YOUR PGAM ACTIVITIES HERE
Please fill in the contact form below to let us know what you’re doing in your community during
Problem Gambling Awareness Month. We want to help spread the word about all our partners
who care about problem gambling!
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Colleen Jones at [email protected]