Did you know that October 10th is World Mental Health Day? The theme for this awareness event in 2024 is “Mental Health at Work”.1 To mark the occasion, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) wants to highlight the critical connection between mental health and problem gambling. This year’s theme resonates deeply with our mission, as we understand how disordered gambling can significantly impact one’s professional life and overall well-being.
The Intersection of Workplace Stress and Problem Gambling
In the Sunshine State, many individuals grapple with the dual challenges of workplace stress and gambling addiction. This combination can create a volatile situation, affecting not only job performance but also personal relationships and financial stability – not to mention liability for the employer. It’s crucial to recognize that problem gambling is a mental health issue that requires attention and support.
Stress in the workplace has a trickle-down effect in our lives. When people don’t have the proper coping mechanisms to release our feelings of burn out or stress, they soon behave in ways that can damage their relationships: at work, at home, with their children, driving, or even in a grocery line. It doesn’t take much once our bucket is full for it to overflow. Many look for an escape, and one way is with gambling. It helps people to “numb out” and think they have a sense of control while gambling, whereas they may feel powerless in other areas of life. However, this is a risk factor for the development of a gambling problem. As the disorder progresses, the problem gambler may get themselves deeper and deeper in debt, which turns negative as the losses pile up, and then becomes stress. What the gambler thought was a coping skill or harmless escape becomes an accelerating downward spiral.
Recognizing the Signs
As we observe both World Mental Health Day and National Depression Screening Day on October 10th,2 it’s an opportune time to check in with colleagues, friends, and family. Here are some signs that someone might be struggling with problem gambling:
- Unexplained absences from work
- Frequent requests for loans or advances
- Mood swings or irritability
- Preoccupation with gambling-related activities
- Financial difficulties despite a steady income
Breaking the Stigma
At the FCCG, we understand the stigma associated with mental health issues, including problem gambling. Many individuals feel ashamed or reluctant to seek help. However, it’s essential to remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine is available 24/7 for anyone who needs assistance or information and can be reached by phone call, text message, live chat, via the 888-ADMIT-T mobile app, and on social media.
Mental Health Day is a reminder for all of us to check in with others on how they are doing. It is important when asking someone this question to be totally engaged with the person with body language, eye contact, and emotion in order to get an honest answer from them. When you actively listen and respond appropriately with understanding, they will be more likely to be open with their feelings.
For many people with any mental health difficulties, it is hard to share their feelings as it feels shameful that they are not feeling as good as they think others are feeling. They may also feel a stigma to their mental health disorder, especially if they have been professionally diagnosed. There has been a big effort in the last 10 years of putting one’s mental health at the forefront. With the onset of social media, there is a whole generation that does not feel they are good enough, so depression, anxiety, and eating disorders abound. When gambling is used as a coping mechanism for other mental health issues like these, the risk of addiction rises.
The Workplace Connection
Problem gambling can have severe consequences in the workplace, including:
- Decreased productivity
- Strained relationships with coworkers
- Potential for illegal activities, such as embezzlement
Disordered gambling can spill over into the workplace making relationships with co-workers more difficult. Coming in late or leaving early to gamble, and even take some down the path of illegal behavior. Many times, when you see that someone has been arrested for embezzlement from their job, it is because they have stolen money to gamble. Maybe in the beginning they thought they would just borrow money from petty cash and return it after they win – and inevitably, they end up losing the money instead.
We encourage employers to be aware of these issues and to provide resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), that can offer initial support and referrals for those struggling with gambling addiction.
Did you know that the FCCG has developed a problem gambling awareness program designed for the workplace? Managing the Odds arms employers with the tools necessary to address and provide resources for individuals in the workplace with gambling problems. The program provides specific information pertaining to workplace impacts, strategies for addressing, and policy development to establish protocols and services for employees (or employers) who may fall prey to the negative effects of gambling. It bridges the gap between workplace programs which address employee alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use to include awareness and resources for help with a gambling addiction.
Depression and Problem Gambling
It’s important to note the strong correlation between depression and problem gambling. These conditions often coexist, creating a complex situation that requires professional intervention. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression alongside gambling issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Seeking Help: The 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine
The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is here to support anyone impacted by problem gambling. Our 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine is a confidential resource available to anyone affected by problem gambling. Whether you’re struggling yourself or concerned about a loved one, our trained professionals can provide:
- Information and resources
- Referrals to treatment options
- Support for family members
- Guidance on self-exclusion programs
- And more, pending individual circumstances
Click here to learn more about our resources. Remember, help is just a call or text away at 888-ADMIT-IT (888-236-4848). If you’re not sure whether gambling is a problem, our website offers free self-assessment tools for gamblers (including college students and seniors) and loved ones.
Taking Action
This World Mental Health Day, we encourage all Floridians to:
- Check in with colleagues and loved ones
- Be aware of the signs of problem gambling
- Promote a supportive work environment
- Utilize available resources, including EAPs and the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine
- Break the stigma surrounding mental health and gambling addiction
By working together and supporting one another, we can create a healthier, more compassionate community for all. The FCCG is committed to providing help and hope to those affected by problem gambling. Don’t hesitate to reach out – recovery is possible, and you’re not alone in this journey.
- “World Mental Health Day 2024.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2024. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.
- “Mental Illness Awareness Week and National Depression Screening Day.” WIC Works Resource System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Aug. 2024, wicworks.fns.usda.gov/topic/health-observances/mental-illness-awareness-week-and-national-depression-screening-day#:~:text=Mental%20Health%20Matters,of%20depression%20to%20appropriate%20services.