Prevention Comes First

by Sasha C. Russell, M.A., Program Specialist, Communications, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

  

  

On Monday December 10^th, several Council members traveled to Shrewsbury, Massachusetts to attend Council Consultant Jim Wuelfing’s training, “Prevention of Problem Gambling: What Every Preventionist Needs to Know.” Nearly 30 people from all over the state and varying organizations and fields were there to either get an introduction to prevention and problem gambling or expand the knowledge they already have on the topic.  The training took place from 9am – 4pm and there was a lot of opportunity, not only for learning, but networking as well. The morning’s introductions helped everyone in the room know at what level of understanding each person was.

Prevention is something that is unfortunately not always addressed in our society. We tend to be a society that takes action AFTER an event, rather than taking measures to prevent certain actions from happening in the first place. An important lesson to learn from this that Jim said during the training is that “no progress has ever been made against any epidemic by treating only the casualties. We’d simply replace them with more.” Program Specialist Jodie explains Jim’s point, “If we do not enhance, increase, [and] enable our prevention efforts, the progress [made to help] decrease problem gambling will never go forward. [It] will never progress to the point where the negative consequences of the gambler, their families and communities can lessen. This one of the key missions of the Council… like Mother Teresa did: help heal those in pain.”

For all situations in society, especially physical or mental illness, prevention is a key point in progressing forward and creating overall understanding of the issue. In regards to problem gambling, prevention and research, the Council’s Research and Data Director Phil, believes strongly in efforts toward more research on prevention. According to Phil. Prevention is important because it “is the active process of creating an environment which lowers the probability that those starting out as social gamblers will eventually become problem and compulsive gamblers… I learned that real prevention requires raising protective factors and lowering risk factors.”

The information covered was insightful. Especially with the holidays coming up, many children receive scratch tickets as a “fun” and “special gift for the holidays (read more about it here). With the average age of onset being between 9 and 11 years old, it’s important that prevention start at the home. Protective factors, as Phil mentioned, are factors that decrease the chances of someone (or a community) developing health and behavioral problems. Having multiple protective factors can override risk factors, which are factors that increase the chances of someone (or a community) developing health and behavioral problems. Jim and a study done on youth gambling, “Youth Gambling Problems: The Identification of Risk and Protective Factors,” have laid the following out as protective factors:

·         A relationship with a caring adult role model

·         Having an opportunity to contribute and be seen as a resource

·         Effectiveness in work, play and relationships

·         Healthy expectations and a positive outlook

·         Self-esteem and an internal locus of control

·         Self-discipline

·         Problem solving and critical thinking skills

·         A sense of humor

·         Family cohesion/connectedness

·         School/community connectedness

·         Designing school-based prevention programs that seek to develop student’s attachment, trust, and identification with larger groups (e.g. school clubs and sports teams, Scouts or Guides)

Something I always teach my sociology students about society is that people tend to be less destructive towards themselves and others if they are able to feel a connection to their family, friends, and community around them. Prevention is not only important for problem gambling, but for all possible health and behavioral problems. We should keep this in mind and close with us especially during the holiday season, when many people might have heightened feelings of detachment. Be kind to your neighbor, even sometimes a simple smile and nod “Hello” can change someone’s outlook for the day.

All in all, Jim’s training was very balanced training, Program Specialist Amanda felt, filled with information for peoples of all levels. Not only were we able to cover prevention basics, but we were able to focus on special populations such as children, college students and older adults. Though prevention can start when one is young, it is something that needs to be practiced during all stages of life.