Mission Australia has teamed up with former NRL player Owen Craigie to present a series of two-day workshops aimed to help NSW Aboriginal health and community workers fight problem gambling.The former Rabbitohs and Knights player is delivering a series of 20 intensive workshops with Mission Australia’s Training Coordinator Sheree Drylie as part of Gambling Smart Project, which is funded by the NSW Government through the Responsible Gambling Fund.
Having experienced the detrimental effects of gambling personally, Owen feels strongly about helping to educate frontline workers about the warning signs of problem gambling:
"It's always good to try and get people in the early stages of gambling because the long-term effects are family break downs, divorces, mental abuse and even suicide,” said Owen.
"A lot of people take their lives each year, which is related to problem gambling. So suicide is probably a major factor there and we just trying to steer people in the right direction so we can help save lives."
He said gambling had become a major issue around the country, not just in rural NSW: “Our program is out there reaching people that have got problems. We're not trying to tell them to stop gambling, just be smart about it.”
This month Owen and Sheree will run two-day workshops at the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-Operative in Hamilton (6 to 7 June) and Lismore Workers Sports Club (15 to 16 June). A further 12 workshops will be held throughout NSW in the second half of 2011.
These two-day workshops will cover a range of issues associated with gambling such as forms of gambling activity, signs and symptoms of problem gambling, risk and protective factors, impacts on health and relationships, types of therapeutic interventions and treatment programs, the role of gambling counsellors, assessments and where to find help.
Participants will receive a certificate and resource manual, and food and beverages will be supplied.
To find out more call Sheree Drylie or Owen Craigie on (02) 40334941 or email drylies@missionaustralia.com.au If you or someone you know needs support to overcome a gambling addiction visit www.triplerservices.com.au.
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