On Saturday 22nd of February 2020 a Gambling Awareness evening was held in the Hub Activity Centre Graignamanagh. The initiative which is funded by the GAA is called “Reduce the Odds of Harm in the GAA”. The Workshop covers Prevention (looks at what the GAA is doing to limit the impact of harmful gambling); Education (Examines some of the facts about gambling and Explores sport and athletes’ unique relationship with betting and the risks associated with this) and Response (Looks at where to get help and how to help others you believe may be experiencing difficulties). Participants were informed by presenters Óisin McConville and Carmel Kenny that Problem Gambling is an urge to gamble continuously despite harmful or negative consequences or a desire to stop. Óisin gave his compelling story of his history of problem gambling and how it affected his life. He stressed that if a person feels like they are in trouble they must reach out and ask for help – Talk to a family member, a loved one, team mate, friend, GP or Call a helpline. He also stressed that if someone is worried about a friend that they think has a problem to ask them if they are ok and offer support as they get the help they need. It was these two people that Óisin turned to himself when he eventually sought the help that he needed – his brother and sister who always asked him was he ok.
