28 Oct 2024
This year, South Australia is taking a fresh approach to how we discuss gambling harm during Gambling Harm Action Week (GHAW) from 27 October to 2 November 2024. The theme for this year, Let’s Change the Conversation, focuses on how the words we use can either support people to seek help or stop them from doing so. By changing the way we talk about gambling, we can break down barriers and reduce the stigma many people feel.
Introducing Gambling Harm Support SA
As part of this shift, the Office for Problem Gambling will be renamed Gambling Harm Support SA. This new name reflects a broader focus on the entire community impacted by gambling harm — not just those who gamble. It highlights the public health approach needed to tackle gambling harm, showing that help is available to anyone affected, including families and friends. The new name will be visible in gambling venues across the state and in campaigns like Here for the Game.
New Resources to Help Change the Conversation
Throughout the week, we will release new tools to help people talk about gambling harm in a way that encourages help-seeking. These include:
- Videos featuring people with lived experience of gambling harm, sharing how certain language affected their decision to seek help.
- Language guides that offer practical tips for professionals and the community on how to use non-stigmatising, supportive language.
These resources are designed to create a more understanding and compassionate environment for those impacted by gambling harm.
Why Language Matters
Research shows that calling someone a “problem gambler” can make them feel blamed or judged, making it harder for them to seek help. Gambling Harm Support SA aims to change this by promoting language that focuses on the issue of gambling harm, not the person. This encourages more open conversations that can lead to greater support for those in need.