New counselling service opens in Carrigtwohill
A new support service to assist people dealing with harmful gambling is now available at Carrigtwohill Family Resource Centre.
Given the estimated prevalence of 55,000 problem gamblers in Ireland, a significant number of individuals in Irish society are affected. Gambling Awareness Trust has officially launched the ‘National Problem Gambling Support Service’ in aid of this.
The service is a collaboration between Gambling Awareness Trust and the Family Resource Centre National Forum, which will see 20 Family Resource Centres (FRCs) across the country provide professional and confidential counselling services to those experiencing harmful gambling and their families.
Pam Bergin, Executive Director of Gambling Awareness Trust, said: “I would strongly encourage anyone in Cork who is experiencing harmful gambling to contact their local FRC. Harmful gambling can have serious consequences for people’s mental health, their employment and relationships. International research reports that for every single person identified with a gambling disorder, up to 6 other people are impacted significantly.”
Fergal Landy, CEO Family Resource Centre National Forum, added: “Given the unique position of Family Resource Centres within communities through Ireland, it is welcome that Gambling Awareness Trust have recognised our capacity to deliver a consistent, high quality, national service, to respond to the very immediate need in this important and underserved area of work.
“The ability of local Family Resource Centres in Cork, and across the country to offer a therapeutic response through counselling integrated with a community development approach to family support is to fore in how this service will be implemented.”
Counselling staff with experience in dealing with gambling addiction have been appointed in each of the participating FRCs. It is expected that the service will run for an initial 3-year period, with a project evaluation to follow at the end of the final year. The service will be offered at affordable rates based on each person’s ability to pay.
Visit Gamblingcare.ie or your local FRC website for more information.