Gambling Help
If you are concerned about your own gambling or are worried about a friend, family member or workmate, assistance is available:
Telephone
- Gambling Helpline - a free, confidential telephone help service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week offering information and assistance over the phone, crisis support and referral to the closest Gambling Help service for face to face counselling. Telephone 1800 858 858.
Face to face
- Gambling Help service - a free, confidential face to face help service which operates during business hours across Queensland. Telephone the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for referral to your local Gambling Help service or contact your local Gambling Help service (PDF 100 K) directly.
The Gambling Help services offer:
- professional, confidential and free face to face counselling
- addictions, relationship, financial and group counselling
- sessions can be individual, couple or family based
- counselling for both the person with the gambling problem or significant others
- referral to other agencies, where appropriate
- culturally appropriate assistance.
Clients may be offered individual, couple, family or group counselling sessions. The Gambling Help service employs professional psychologists and social workers to discuss issues and concerns in a safe, confidential and accepting environment.
The counsellors will assist clients to draw on their own strengths and resources, enabling them to resolve problems. It is the development of this partnership between client and counsellor which will reap the greatest benefits.
For counselling to be successful clients must recognize that it is not a magic fix. Clients should commit to a minimum of 4-6 sessions in an attempt to resolve their problems.
People attending counselling benefit from the opportunity to talk to someone who listens and cares and who can provide information assistance and guidance.
Online
- Gambling Help Online – a national website that provides live online professional counselling and email support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The website includes extensive information and self-help tools to assist in identifying, and dealing with, problem gambling. It is a free, anonymous and confidential service that is available at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Help is also available from:
Gamblers Anonymous (24 Hours) 1800 002 210
Life Line (24 hours) 13 11 14
Last reviewed 15 October 2009