If you are worried that someone you know is experiencing negative impacts due to gambling, it might help learning about what gambling-related harm is and what support is available.  

Understanding Gambling-related harm 

Gambling involves taking a risk on something in order to gain a better outcome. Traditionally gambling encompasses risking money in a hope to win more money. In 2022 the gambling commission found that 50% of young people have gambled in the last 12 months. Though, gambling can be considered a form a social entertainment it can have a damaging impact on a young person’s mental and physical wellbeing and heath. The Gambling Commission have estimated that 55,000 11–16 year olds experience gambling-related harm due to their gambling behaviours, with another 85,000 at risk to developing harms. While a further 1.4 million adults in the UK also experience harm due to their gambling behaviours.  

Signs a young person might be experiencing gambling-related harm 

Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing 

While we all experience things differently, it helps to have a general understanding of mental health. Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. Our mental health is on a spectrum and can range from good to poor. 

Some young people may use gambling as a way to deal with poor mental health. If gambling starts to impact a young person’s life negatively it’s also likely that they will experience poor mental health due to this. 

The hardest step while struggling with mental health and gambling-related harm is being able to talk about it. But it's a good and rewarding thing to do, and it takes the stigma away from it.  

It can feel difficult to support someone who is struggling with gambling-related harm. It might make you feel worried, frustrated or lonely. But there are things you can do to help. This might include encouraging them to seek help for the first time.  

Ways to offer support 

There are many ways you can help, but the best thing you can do is ask them what they want. Different people will want support in different ways, at different times. You could: 

Helping someone find the right support  

GAPS 1:1 Support at Sheffield Mind  

GAPS at Sheffield Mind now offer 1-2-1 appointments for young people aged 11-25 who may be at risk of developing, or already experiencing gambling-related harms. The appointments are available online, via telephone or face to face and give young people the opportunity to share any difficulties they are experiencing and find out where they can get help. We will work with you at your own pace to achieve personal goals, and offer support to prevent and reduce gambling-related harms. If you would like to book an appointment with one of the team please contact us at [email protected] or by telephone 0114 258 4489.  

GAPS club at Sheffield Mind  

Here at Sheffield Mind we run the GAPS club for young people aged 16-25 who are at risk of developing, or already having, gambling related issues. The GAPS club has been designed for young people who are at risk of developing, or already having, gambling related harms and to use their own experiences to help each other. You can find out more information about GAPS Club on "Our Services" page.  

Promote Self Exclusion  

If someone is struggling with gambling-related harm one thing they can do is to self-exclude from gambling. This is when you exclude yourself from being able to go into a bookmakers or block yourself from accessing gambling websites online. You can also find more information on how to self-exclude on our signposting pages.  

Other helpful organisations  

There are various organisations which provide confidential support, peer support and therapy for people experiencing gambling-related harms. You can find a list of helpful organisations here which can help. 

Looking after yourself  

Supporting someone else can be a difficult time but it's important to remember that you dont need to do this on your own and support is available. Most gambling-related harm support services offer support to the people who are gambling and the people around them (Including GAPS).  

If you are worried about someone aged 11-25 and would like to speak to a member of the team please email [email protected]. A list of other helpful organisations can be also be found on our signposting pages.