This March, AdCare Maine and the Maine Council on Problem Gambling will join the National Council on Problem Gambling in observing Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM).
The 2023 PGAM theme is “Celebrating 20 Years” #PGAM2023
The goals of this national campaign are:
- To increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment & recovery services.
- To encourage healthcare providers to screen clients for problem gambling.
#1 Increase Public Awareness: It’s easy to integrate problem gambling awareness into your organization during March.
- Download our flyer: Has Gambling Become a Problem
- Order free brochures, wallet cards, and other materials from the Maine Prevention Store.
- Download our resource guide, with screening tools, self-help guides, peer support groups, and a comprehensive list of problem gambling programs and resources for individuals, families, and professionals in Maine.
- Host a problem gambling information session with AdCare’s Problem Gambling Services Coordinator. This free service can be delivered to any group in Maine upon request (for example, parent groups, recovery centers, employers, treatment agencies, student groups, etc.). The content is personalized to the group’s needs and can be delivered in-person or via Zoom.
- Attend and/or promote the Annual Conference on Problem Gambling Awareness Webinar Series – Gambling and the Big Picture: Full details and registration at https://cvent.me/dXZN4R
- This series, offered at no cost, will feature 3 respected experts, covering topics and trends in problem gambling including co-occurring disorders, day trading, finances, and the unique considerations related to sports wagering. Join us for all 3 sessions or choose just the ones that interest you.
#2: Support Gambling Disorder Screening Day
March 14 is Gambling Disorder Screening Day. You don’t necessarily have to add gambling screening questions to your intake (though we’d love to help you do that if it’s a goal). You can provide self-screening tools in in your waiting area for people to browse and that may start a conversation. Here are two options to download and print:
- 2-per-page Brief-Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS)
- Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)
Take a look at the Screening Day Toolkit provided by Cambridge Health Alliance Division of Addiction.
- Order 50 free copies of the Pocket Screener.
For more information on screening, download the Maine Problem Gambling Screening Toolkit.
Share our posts on social media. During March, we’ll be sharing numerous PGAM and Screening Day posts. Help us spread the word by sharing some posts with your followers.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdCareME
https://www.facebook.com/MaineCouncilProblemGambling
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdCareME
https://twitter.com/MEProbGambling
Do you have any questions? You can reach Lori Manson, Problem Gambling Services Coordinator via email at lmanson@adcareme.org or call (207) 626-3615 ext. 20
