New service a safe bet

By Kath Gannaway
A NEW counselling service in Healesville and Yarra Junction is offering assistance to people affected by problem gambling.
Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) has operated the service in Lilydale for several years and with a full-time counsellor dealing with a case-load of between 40 and 50 people at any one time there was seen to be a demonstrated need for extending the service to Healesville and Yarra Junction.
Susan Jenkin, an experienced drug and alcohol counsellor, is now tackling the issues which manifest themselves in problem gambling.
She said while there are more than 14 legal ways to gamble in Victoria, nearly all the problem gamblers they see are related to pokies.
Healesville and Yarra Junction each have pokies venues at their local RSL sub-branches.
Ms Jenkin said problems gamblers have traditionally been in the 30 to 50 and 65 years plus age groups, but there is an increasing trend towards younger people coming in for help.
“By the time they come in for counselling extraordinary levels of damage have been done,” Ms Jenkin said.
“Many of them are aware they have a problem five or six years earlier but are reluctant to seek help because of the shame and the stigma.”
Her advice to problem gamblers is “if you’re not sure whether or not you have a problem, get on to it early before things get too bad”.
She can advise on self-exclusion and says strategies such as not taking credit cards to gambling venues, taking regular breaks from the machines and having other interests such as movies, or visiting friends can help problem gamblers deal with what can be a devastating problem.
The service, however, is not just for the gamblers.
“Anyone effected by problem gambling can benefit from counselling,” Ms Jenkin said.
The service is free and there is no limit to the number of sessions people can attend.
The phone number for Yarra Junction and Healesville is 1300 131 973.