Empowering CALD Communities to Combat Gambling Harm

Gambling harm can be tough on individuals and families, and it’s especially challenging for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia. Things like language barriers, cultural stigma, and not knowing about available help often make the problem worse. But there are ways to tackle this together! Let’s talk about how we can help CALD communities fight gambling harm with the right resources, strategies, and support.

Understanding the Impact of Gambling Harm in CALD Communities

When someone struggles with gambling, it doesn’t just affect them—it can impact their family and community too. CALD communities face unique challenges that can make this even harder:

• Cultural Stigma: In some cultures, it’s taboo to talk about gambling problems, so people might avoid seeking help.
• Language Barriers: If someone isn’t confident in English, finding support can feel impossible.
• Targeted Advertising: Gambling ads often zero in on CALD communities, making the issue worse.

Understanding these challenges is the first step to finding solutions.

Practical Strategies to Empower CALD Communities

1. Raise Awareness Through Education

The more people know, the better equipped they are to make informed choices. Here’s how to spread awareness:

• Work with cultural groups to host events about gambling harm.
• Create easy-to-understand resources in different languages.
• Partner with schools and local councils to reach more people.

2. Offer Culturally Sensitive Support Services

Support needs to feel relevant and respectful. Here are some ideas:

• Hire Multilingual Staff: Make sure people can get help in their own language.
• Custom Programs: Tailor services to align with cultural values.
• Focus on Privacy: Highlight confidentiality to ease concerns about stigma.

Resource: Gambling Help Online offers free, multilingual support across Australia.

3. Involve Community Leaders

Trusted leaders in the community, like faith leaders or elders, can help get the message across. Here’s how they can make a difference:

• Take part in workshops and awareness campaigns.
• Learn how to spot the signs of gambling harm and offer initial support.

4. Build Strong Community Networks

Communities are stronger when they come together to support each other. Safe spaces for open conversations are key:

• Set up peer support groups that reflect cultural diversity.
• Create family-focused programs to encourage honest discussions about gambling.

Helpful Tools and Resources

It’s important to connect people with the right resources. These are a great start:

• National Gambling Helpline: A 24/7 service offering free advice and support.
• Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation: Culturally tailored programs and resources.
• Local Ethnic Community Councils: Many councils offer gambling harm programs designed for CALD communities.

How You Can Help

Everyone can do something to make a difference:

• As an Individual: Share resources and start conversations about gambling harm.
• As a Community Leader: Push for culturally sensitive programs in your networks.
• As an Organization: Invest in multilingual resources and hire staff who understand cultural differences.

A successful initiative:

A non-profit community group in Melbourne teamed up with local councils to run multilingual sessions about gambling harm. Using familiar settings and materials, they helped more people come forward to seek help. It’s proof that culturally inclusive strategies really work!

Gambling harm in CALD communities is a big issue, but with the right approach, we can make a difference. By raising awareness, offering tailored support, and working together as a community, we can help break the cycle. Let’s create a more supportive, inclusive environment for everyone.