Responding to greater need

The year began very positively for the Extern Problem Gambling project when it was selected by AIB Bank as partners, together with the GAA, for their ‘Hidden Problem’ initiative. The PR campaign was led out by GAA legends Oisin McConville and Niall McNamee, with €50,000 in funding given to the project to provide helpline and counselling supports to the public.

Altogether, the project handled 319 helpline calls and delivered 1,095 hours of counselling to a total of 109 clients across 2021-22.

Another key milestone was the launch of the Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP), across four of the HSE’s Community Healthcare Organisation regions. The service was delivered to over 3,500 students in 44 schools, across 14 counties, with the aim of educating and informing them on the impact which problem gambling can have on individuals, families and communities. A further 11 schools also paid privately for the service, reflecting the genuine need for such services within the system.

The project continued to have a strong presence in the media, where it was regularly sought for interviews with national newspapers and broadcasters, as well as at a political level. Project Manager Barry Grant presented to both the NI Assembly’s All-Party Group on Reducing Gambling Harm and the Oireacthas Justice Committee on the Gambling Regulation Bill.

The profile of the project has also continued to expand throughout lockdown, with service delivery moving online. This has enabled the project to reach into Northern Ireland as well, through service delivery, advocacy and media presence.

As gambling regulation/legislation is due to be enacted in both ROI and NI in 2022-23, the project is set to continue its advocacy and lobbying work, to encourage policymakers to fast-track much-needed measures which can reduce the harm associated with gambling.

For our MYDAS drug and alcohol project, the year began with a growth in the numbers of young people and families accessing the service. Overall, staff saw a rise in young people presenting with grave mental health issues, with each case requiring a considerable amount of care.

A number of key posts were also filled within the team, and all staff members became accredited on Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training (CRAFT).

As we entered 2022, we were advised that our contract with funders would be coming to a close at the end of the year. While this was sad news for the team, it was testament to their professionalism that they rallied and continued to deliver a quality lead service supporting the needs of young people and their families engaged in the service.

I was a dad, a husband and a friend to many. People would have described me as fun-loving, kind and caring. But behind it all I was dealing with an escalating addiction to gambling which had lasted for years.

It got to the point where I contemplated taking my own life. Thankfully, I managed to get support and was admitted to hospital, which is where I first heard about Extern Problem Gambling.

I listened to every episode of the Problem Gambling Podcast and it was a relief to hear other people’s stories about their gambling addictions and how they have turned their lives around.

I reached out to the team, and they came back to me quickly. That was the first of many steps I took towards managing my problem gambling - now, I had a professional to speak to when I got out of hospital, which was a great start for me. Mentally, this was so uplifting for myself and my family.

I haven’t had a single lapse since I first got in contact with Extern. My relationships, my communication skills and my ability to concentrate at work have all improved. Crucially, I have found healthier coping skills for dealing with stressful situations.

I’d like to think that maybe one day I too can give back to help others who have been where I was when I faced my problems with gambling addiction.

Declan,