Everyone who seeks help for gambling harm has their own individual situation and needs. What works for one person, may not for another. South Australia has a range of different services and delivery styles to cater to all kinds of people from different backgrounds, ages, locations, cultures and languages.
What kinds of services are available and how can you access them?
Free, immediate, professional help is available 24/7, face-to-face, over the phone or online.
Phone counselling can be the best choice for some people because it is:
- convenient – you can do it anywhere, at home, at work and accessible for people with mobility or transport issues who might struggle to get to in-person support
- available 24/7 – call any time of the day or night, seven days a week
- over the phone so you don’t have to look at the person you’re talking to – some people find that scary or confronting
- free for anyone affected by gambling – call as many times as you need. (Calls are free from a landline, but mobile phones charges may apply – check with your phone provider)
- delivered by professional counsellors
- accessible to people who speak languages other than English - we can arrange an interpreter
- accessible to people with hearing or speech impairment - contact the service through the National Relay Service.
Get support over the phone at the Gambling Helpline - call 1800 858 858
Online support may be best for some people because:
- you don’t have to talk or say things out loud – that can be confronting when you’re talking about sensitive and private parts of your life
- you can either use Live Chat, where you message your counsellor in real time, or email which gives you a chance to think about what you want to say
- it’s free for as many sessions as you need
- it’s convenient – online chat is available 24/7 and anywhere with an internet connection so you don’t need to be mobile or have transport to access the service
- anyone affected by gambling can use it – you, your family and friends.
Go to Gambling Help Online to register your email address and begin.
You might prefer talking to someone in person, because:
- you feel more comfortable talking in person than in writing or over the phone
- using a device makes you anxious
- the counsellor is right there to help if a person is in crisis
- the counsellor can also read your body language to understand how you are feeling
- it’s free, confidential and non-judgemental
- it’s available to everyone affected by gambling – including family and friends of a person who gambles
- it’s accessible to people who speak a language other than English.
Call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for a referral to a counsellor