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Falling through the cracks: Problem Gambling, Poverty and Homelessness. Presenter: Dr. Flora Matheson, Research Scientist at The Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital www. g amblingandpoverty.ca. The Normalization of Gambling. Problem Gambling.
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Falling through the cracks: Problem Gambling, Poverty and Homelessness Presenter: Dr. Flora Matheson, Research Scientist at The Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital www. gamblingandpoverty.ca
Problem Gambling Problem gambling is a public health concern. According to research from The Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, approximately340,000 people in Ontario exhibit problems with gambling, but only about 10% seek treatment. (Centre for Mental Health and Addictions 2014.)
Causes and effects • Problem gambling can lead to: • serious financial harm and debt • emotional distress • relationship disruptions • reduced productivity at work/job loss • physical and mental health problems • homelessness Income level, race, geographic location and gender impact the development of problem gambling.
The Social and Health Effects of Problem Gambling Physical Health Problems Mental Health Problems Substance Abuse Criminal Activity Problem Gambling
The Link between Problem Gambling, Poverty and Homelessness Men experiencing poverty and homelessness are nine times more likely to experience problem gambling than the general population. “You don’t realize it’s hurting you until you get to the point where you lose everything. You have nothing to live for anymore. It gets to the point where I’m in and out of shelters, in and out of shelters, in and out of shelters.” (Matheson, Devotta, Wendaferew & Penderson 2014.)
Pathways to PG & Homelessness • Poverty • Disability • Loss of loved ones through bereavement or divorce • Loss of access to children • Mental illness such as psychological distress • Childhood trauma (abuse/neglect) • Substance use disorders • Lack of social support “My health is deteriorating… I may have to go on insulin. The only thing gambling is going to do is make me sicker….it’s like a drug.”
Service Delivery for PG Illustration: Joe Fleming
Our HUB’s Interventions • Co-developed and implemented the Gambling Addiction Program within the GSM suite of shelter, health, housing and financial services, the first of its kind in North America. • Produced KT tools about PG and homelessness, including: • a learning module for service providers • a mini-documentary about lived experience, • information pamphlets for shelters providing services to women and youth • a whiteboard video for youth • a written feature story • Chart review of problem gambling screening in SMH Family Health Team • New study to look at prevalence of PG among women using shelter services • Designing an app to help people self-manage their problem gambling and other concerns • And more.
Adopting a Public Health Perspective 1 • - Impose mandatory bet and time limits • - Create mandatory operating hours • - Increase the presence of clocks, both in casinos and on on-screen games • - Display dollar amount remainders on on-screen games instead of credits • - Promote problem gambling screening in primary care • - Coordinate with organizations and create treatment programs for gambling and other health and social needs • - Support cost-effective approaches to reducing gambling-related harms • - Expand programs to assist all gamblers • - Ensure that screening and treatment for gambling considers the social determinants of health 2 3 (Waddell, Moat, Lavis 2018).
