Training
SFA: Gambling Operators
Growing Evidence of Link Between Suicide and Gambling Related Harm
The prestigious medical journal The Lancet has highlighted growing evidence linking harmful gambling behaviour to an increased risk of suicide.
According to a report from the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, among individuals with serious gambling problems who are receiving treatment, between 22% and 81% have experienced suicide thoughts, and between 7% and 30% have attempted to take their own lives.
In response to this critical issue, NCSPET has tailored its Suicide First Aid® approach to support those who seek to help individuals struggling with thoughts of suicide impacted by harmful gambling behaviour.
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Programme Overview
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Gambling Operators (Lite)
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Book Your Place
Programme Overview:
This short programme provides participants with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively intervene in situations where someone with harmful gambling habits may be thinking about suicide.
Designed for individuals working in the gambling industry or in a role impacted by this activity. This programme equips you with the tools to recognise the signs of suicide thougth’s and behaviour related to gambling. It will show you how to initiate lifesaving conversations, and connect individuals with appropriate resources. Whether you're in a gambling operator vulnerability team, a healthcare professional, educator, HR personnel, community leader, or concerned friend or family member, this programme empowers you to make a real difference.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Understanding Suicide in the Context of Problem Gambling: Gain insights into the complex factors that can lead to thoughts of suicide and suicide behaviours in individuals struggling with harmful gambling habits, including financial distress, emotional turmoil, and societal pressures.
- Recognising Signs Specific to Gambling-Related Suicide Behaviour: Learn how to identify the verbal, behavioural, and situational indicators that someone involved in problem gambling may be at risk of suicide.
- Effective Communication Techniques for Gambling-Related Crises: Develop skills to engage in sensitive and supportive conversations tailored to individuals facing gambling-related challenges, helping to de-escalate crises and offer hope.
- Immediate Intervention Strategies for Problem Gamblers: Acquire practical tools and approaches for providing immediate support to problem gamblers, including how to refer them to mental health professionals and gambling support services.
- Ethical Considerations in Gambling-Related Suicide Prevention: Understand the ethical responsibilities involved in suicide prevention within the context of problem gambling, including confidentiality, consent, and the importance of self-care.
Programme Format and Duration:
This is a concise, focused programme delivered online and lasting half a day, making it accessible for busy professionals. The programme includes a mix of interactive presentations, real-life case studies, and role-playing exercises specifically related to gambling, ensuring participants leave with practical, actionable skills.
Who Should Attend:
Anyone in a position to support individuals at risk of suicide due to harmful gambling habits, including vulnerability teams, customer support, client assist, and safer gambling teams. No prior experience in mental health or suicide prevention is required.
Certification:
Upon completion, participants will receive a digital badge from NCSPET, demonstrating their knowledge of suicide prevention as a Suicide First Aider®, along with a certificate of attendance.
Why This Programme Matters:
By equipping yourself with the skills taught in this programme, you become a crucial part of the effort to reduce suicide rates among those affected by problem gambling. Every intervention can make a difference and save lives.
Part 1: Understanding the Foundations of Suicide Prevention in Gambling
- Introduction & Programme Outline: Overview of the programme and its objectives, focusing on suicide prevention related to gambling.
- Working with Attitudes & Values: Explore how personal and societal attitudes toward gambling and suicide can impact prevention efforts.
- Stigma and Survivors of Gambling-Related Suicide: Understanding the hidden toll on those left behind after a gambling-related suicide.
- Suicide – The Ripple Effect®: Review sector-specific statistics on the impact of gambling-related suicides.
- Understanding Thoughts of suicide and Behaviours in Problem Gamblers: understand how someone goes from not thinking about suicide onto the continuum of suicide.
- Intention vs. Outcome of Behaviour®: Examine the critical distinctions between a gambler’s intentions and the actual outcomes of their behaviour.
- Possible factors contributing to Suicide Thoughts in Gamblers: Identify the various factors that can lead problem gamblers to think about suicide.
Part 2: Addressing Gambling-Related Harm in Suicide Prevention
- Population-Based Approach to Suicide Prevention: Explore strategies to prevent suicide on a broader scale, with a focus on gambling-related harm.
- Gambling-Related Harm – ‘Lived Experience’ Film: Watch a film featuring real-life experiences of those affected by gambling-related suicide thoughts.
- Partnership Working – First Aid Approach: Learn how to work collaboratively with others to provide effective suicide first aid in gambling contexts.
- “I’m Really Glad You Told Me”®:** View a powerful audio-visual story set in a betting shop or call centre, highlighting successful interventions.
Part 3: Supporting Individuals at Risk Due to Gambling
- Meeting the needs of a person thinking about suicide: Learn how to recognise and address specific needs of individuals struggling with gambling-related thoughts of suicide.
- Suicide-Safety Guide – 3 Step Model:
- Step 1 – Recognising Thoughts of suicide and Asking the Right Questions: Understand how to identify warning signs and engage in sensitive conversations.
- Step 2 – Listening to understand and Exploring Options: Explore the importance of listening and how to discuss and explore different support options with a person having thoughts of suicide.
Part 4: Ensuring Safety and Self-Care in Suicide Prevention
- Step 3 – Helping You Cope: Strategies for supporting both the person and yourself through challenging situations.
- What Works – ‘Lived Experience’ Film: Gain insights from those who have successfully navigated gambling-related crises.
- Suicide-Safety and Self-Care: Emphasise the importance of self-care for caregivers and first aiders to maintain their well-being.
- Future Learning: Identify opportunities for ongoing education and development in suicide prevention related to gambling.
“The training has taught me to empathise more with others and understand their situations. This is for my colleagues as well as the customers that I deal with on a daily basis.” – SFA Learner (Betway)
To sign up to one of our open SFA courses today, visit our Eventbrite here:
To book a course for your organisation, get in touch at training@ncspt.org.uk
