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Prevention can play a critical role in reducing the harms associated with gambling.
Effective prevention initiatives build on a strong foundation of research-based practices, expanding its focus from individual-level interventions to community-level interventions and outcomes.
Effective prevention efforts are multi-pronged and must do the following:
The Massachusetts Photovoice Project is an innovative, youth-centered approach to preventing or reducing underage gambling among youth. Photovoice is a participatory approach of storytelling and documenting environmental community conditions using photography. Local youth use photography to explore a community issue that is important to them and then generate a “call to action” for community members.
The Massachusetts Ambassador Project is a participatory, peer-to-peer strategy that trains men of color with a history of substance misuse to lead conversations about the intersection of problem gambling and substance misuse in their community. This innovative approach is designed to reach populations at higher risk for developing problem gambling.
The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Empowerment Project aims to enhance community-centered efforts to prevent and mitigate harm from problem gambling in Massachusetts by developing and implementing a comprehensive gambling prevention community outreach program among AAPI communities. This is done through a local community-based organization (CBO) implementing a comprehensive gambling prevention program that utilizes innovative and creative community outreach strategies to educate and increase community awareness of mental health and problem gambling within the AAPI community.
The Community Wellness Project, based on lessons from the CHW and Gambling Needs Assessment and Initiative in Springfield, aims to enhance community-centered efforts to prevent and address problem gambling in Massachusetts. It focuses on community engagement, outreach, screenings, psycho-educational activities, and referrals for those disproportionately affected by problem gambling. The project emphasizes prevention and intervention through a socio-ecological model and an equity focus, addressing problem gambling at individual, interpersonal, and community levels to promote overall health and wellness.
Project Rise 2.0 aims to build capacity within community-based organizations (CBOs) to promote and distribute problem gambling resources to immigrant families, raising awareness of associated risks. The goal is to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information to Massachusetts families. This is achieved by offering capacity building and technical support to CBOs, enabling them to share problem gambling resources and educate their communities. CBOs, with their deep community knowledge, can serve as resource hubs, helping families navigate complex systems and access support services. This project focuses on reducing disparities and improving access to local resources, such as education, support groups, and alternative activities, to prevent and address gambling-related harm.
The Youth Leaders in Problem Gambling Prevention project empowers youth to lead prevention, advocacy, and community strategies to raise awareness of gambling risks across the Commonwealth. Using a peer-to-peer model, the project equips youth with the skills and knowledge to become change agents committed to preventing underage gambling. It also offers academic resources, skills, mentorship, and support to help youth expand their educational and career opportunities, supporting their academic success as a key protective factor.
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing problems with gambling and need support, call or visit gamblinghelplinema.org to speak with a trained specialist. Specialists are available 24/7. Services are free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.
Funded by Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services
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