Western NSW residents who have experienced the harmful effects of online gambling are invited to share their story and help the community better understand how individuals, families and communities are impacted by gambling.
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The Gambling Impact Society's lived experience project involves selected residents speaking about their experience at one-hour community education sessions to be held in regional centres like Dubbo.
Audiences will include community groups, welfare services, local residents, health services and corporate organisations.
"It's common for people at risk of gambling harm to relate easily to others who have experienced what they are going through and overcome their problem," said Kate Roberts, Executive Officer of the Gambling Impact Society.
"Starting a conversation can help de-stigmatise the subject of problem gambling and encourage people who are suffering in silence to reach out for help."
Ms Roberts said gambling has long been "seen a bit as a social deviance, rather than as a health issue".
"It's increasingly now being considered more of a public health issue," she said.
"Gambling is so normalised in our culture that it's actually hard for families, individuals and communities to recognise when it has become a problem.
"When we have saturated our social entertainment areas with products we know can cause gambling problems for people, it's actually quite hard for people to identify when it's becoming a problem."
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If you are interested in becoming a part of the lived experience project, or if you would like more information on the project, please contact Kate Roberts 0401 370 042 or email info@ginsw.org.au.
For more information on the Gambling Impact Society visit www.ginsw.org.au.
