Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2019

October 7-14 is Victorian Gambling Harm Awareness Week. This year, we’re coming together to voice the lived experiences of gambling harm and mental ill-health. From the steps of Parliament, decision makers and gambling reform allies will hear from those directly affected.

We know those experiencing gambling harm are subject to higher rates of mental-ill health, and people experiencing mental ill-health are also more vulnerable to gambling harm. Despite this, the Victorian Government’s public health response to reducing gambling harm remains woefully inadequate. 

Join us as we come together to hear from three powerful advocates on why gambling harm must feature prominently in any mental health strategy. We’ll hear from:

• Ethan Taylor, a young Warumungu man with lived experience of gambling harm
• Carolyn Crawford, an advocate with lived experience of gambling harm who spent 18 months in prison for taking money to gamble on the pokies
• Rev Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, Alliance for Gambling Reform  

Any government that’s serious about improving the mental health of Victorians must also get serious about reducing gambling harm. Join us as we stand together to call for reform.

[1] Data obtained from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation's Submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. 2019. Pg. 2. [2] Victorian Government Mental Health 10-year plan, Victorian Suicide Prevention Framework 2016 - 2025, Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2019 - 2023, Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System Terms of Reference.