PayPlan, who offer free and simple debt advice to anyone who requires it, has announced its support for a campaign to end the stigma around gambling harms.
Last week, GambleAware launched a new campaign to end the stigma surrounding problem gambling and is encouraging those who may be experiencing gambling harms to ‘open up about gambling.’
Within that report, data revealed that 64% of adults who have ever had any sort of problem have never spoken about it, 39% of whom have said they have never spoken about it owing to pervasive stigma. 76% of those who opened up did report feeling better after they had spoken to someone about their gambling problems.
PayPlan has conducted its own research into the matter of problem gambling, finding that 30% of its clients felt that gambling had a negative impact on their mental health.
GambleAware’s further research, which looked at attitudes and perceptions surrounding gambling harms showed three in five agree people negatively judge those experiencing gambling harms, whilst 56% agree that it is important to challenge the stigma around gambling harms.
Chief Executive of GambleAware, Zoë Osmond, said: “Gambling harms are hidden and complex in nature, making it incredibly hard to spot from the outside when someone may need help.
“It is therefore critical that when accessing financial services, especially when due to the impact of gambling harms, people feel they can talk openly about the issues they may be experiencing and are made aware of the wide range of support services available.
“We are delighted to be partnering with PayPlan as part of this campaign and look forward to working together to encourage people to open up about gambling harms and feeling safe to do so.”
PayPlan Vulnerability Lead, Emma Gibbons, added: “Through our relationship with GamCare, we’ve been able to develop appropriate pathways into debt advice and regularly carry out training to the wider financial services sector to help them ensure they’re up to date with the latest information and advice.”
