A BREATHTAKING BEAUTIFUL MULTI-FACETED JEWEL PS: WORKING TOGETHER (Post 153)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26
Post 153
It was about the best conference on problem gambling I had ever attended.
- Janet Jacobs
… AND that’s been since 2003! Looking over the schedule of speakers ahead of time, it looked like an interesting mixture … not unusual for such events. Prevention, treatment, recovery, responsible gambling, gaming industry representatives: yep, all were there for the 2022 Mid-Central Conference on Problem Gambling. Still, inter-weavings of these facets were not fully appreciated until the final session. We were challenged then, not just by words from the workshop leader but by including our names and writing new possibilities for working together. The suggestions have now gone to Christina Grey, Executive Director of the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling (https://www.indianaproblemgambling.org), in planning for 2023’s Problem Gambling Awareness Month. I was amazed at the participation – not just an individualized contemplative exercise, but a real sharing of many ideas.
From the get-go, our conference welcome bags demonstrated this team approach – on a very practical level. Handouts represented blended-together resources, thus providing a beautiful, multi-faceted jewel of collaboration (see GRM Blog Posts 151 and 152). Accordingly, our October GRM Blog spotlights practices and resources gleaned from the conference that demonstrate a together theme. As stated last month, Nonconventional partnering can bring together entities that would normally never (or rarely) connect. However, opening that door of possibility may bring surprising results!
· Responsible Gaming Programs: include scientific research on disordered gambling to prevent harm; train employees of gambling venues to recognize a concern (not to label); balance advertising with responsible gambling messaging and use problem gambling hotline
· Loyalty Programs of Gambling Establishments: rewarding responsible gambling as a harm minimization strategy: loyalty points for limit setting and adherence to the set limit; watching problem gambling educational material at gambling establishments; attending a Responsible Gambling workshop; “Play My Way” tool for responsible gambling
· Recovery: Algamus, 30 Years in Recovery: grocery planning/shopping on a budget and meal preparation led by a professional chef; GA recovery meetings; clinical treatment; spirituality
· Warm Transfer and Collaboration and Building Treatment Workforce: Keynote Speaker Mike Buzzelli, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio Assistant Director ( https://pgnohio.org ), described the relationship between the Helpline and Clinical Counseling as a warm transfer wherein the caller can be directly connected to a treatment counselor. Other forms of collaboration: Pet Assistance Wellness Services (PAWS); service to the incarcerated; peer recovery within the gambling industry; marketing problem gambling and services; updating screen development; marketing/promotion of prevention and recovery; collaboration between leaders of the local culture and prevention/treatment providers; develop a Culture of Care Fellowship; College Greek Life Focus Groups and Programming; Operation Partners who overlap skill sets and embrace others’ expertise and experiences
· PRINTED RESOURCES:
It Takes a Family: Creating Lasting Sobriety, Togetherness, and Happiness by Debra Jay (Hazelden Publishing, Center City, Minnesota 55012; hazelden.org/bookstore; 2014, 2021)
Love First: A Family’s Guide to Intervention by Jeff Jay and Debra Jay (Hazelden Publishing, Center City, Minnesota 55012; hazelden.org/bookstore; 2000, 2008, 2021)
Wellness & Recovery: Featuring the Interactive Journaling process (The Change Companies www.changecompanies.net ) workbook
Safe Bet: Problem Gambling Prevention and Education (The Change Companies www.changecompanies.net ) workbook
A 12-Step Guide for Compulsive Gamblers (The Change Companies www.changecompanies.net ) workbook
· PROGRAM RESOURCE
Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program http://ipgap.indiana.edu
Program Resources and Activities:
Counselor Training (Online and In-Person) Prevention Strategies Research and Literature Reviews Informational Resources for outreach to communities and behavioral health professionals Presentations to Stakeholders and Professionals Statewide Youth Gambling Data
Once again, the task is before us. Do we stay within our so-called professional territorial boundaries OR are there other professionals that we can partner/collaborate/create together to enhance our outreach to persons who have a gambling problem? With so few clergy and faith workers knowledgeable about disordered gambling and recovery issues, it is our challenge (and invitation) to learn from others … including those in recovery!
Once more – and you’ve heard me say this before - in actuality, the spiritual community can play a unique role of influence in creating and contributing to this multi-faceted jewel of cooperation (GRM Blog posts 151 and 152).
Remember, as spiritual leaders, we are in unique positions to open doors, invite, and welcome initiatives!
REPEAT! For more information on pioneering ways of connecting in outreach, check back to GRM Blog Post 41 (October 10, 2013) wherein I detail my presentation “Growing the Circle of Care” in Seattle at the National Council on Problem Gambling Annual Conference. https://www.grmumc.org/blog/14rk9so7t0vgdtlzo6et8kb9t5sjbk
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
855-926-0761
For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:
From IGCCB’s Resources for Coping with COVID 19:
https://personcenteredtech.com/tmh/clients (Online therapy preparation for clients)
https://gambling.easywebinar.live/replay (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
https://youtu.be/dYUEjIFtT8E (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
For more information on gambling disorder and recovery issues, go to:
www.indianaproblemgambling.org
www.masscompulsivegambling.org