Ten Easy Ways Prevention Specialists Can Help Spread the Word About Problem Gambling Among Youth

Add a link from your prevention website to the Oregon problem gambling helpline site: www.1877mylimit.org
Include information in your community resource guides on the problem gambling helpline…something like:

Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline: treatment is free, confidential and it works:
Call 1-877-MY-LIMIT for 24/7 help or information via phone
Go to 1877mylimit.org for help or information via chat/instant message/email

Keep a stock of problem gambling brochures and posters on hand and disseminate them with your other educational materials—we are happy to provide them at no cost…there are brochures for youth, parents, seniors, workplace, health professionals, educators and general public. Use one of the info sheets included in this mailing as a master and provide copies at a presentation, event or information kiosk.
Show the youth video included in this mailing at a presentation and use it as a conversation starter about risks, choices, consequences, etc…it’s a timely topic that youth will relate to (and haven’t heard about repeatedly, as they have with other risk behaviors). Or, ask us to send you one of our powerpoint presentation (copy included in this mailing) so you can incorporate some of the slides into your own presentations.
Include a free problem gambling exhibit at your next meeting, conference or workshop; email Wendy Hausotter (wendy.hausotter@state.or.us) for details.
Put a short article into a local newsletter or publication—we have very good ones on various topics and for various audiences that we can provide quickly, so email wendy.hausotter@state.or.us if you can help us reach others via local newsletters.
Work the following factoids into your presentations or publications:
- One in 25 Oregon youth is gambling too much…that’s one per classroom, yet it’s not really talked about as a risky activity
- Oregon youth who gamble or bet are at twice the risk for using drugs and alcohol as youth who do not
- There are many free resources, including information and/or help for gambling problems, available at 1877mylimit.org
Even just mentioning the words “problem gambling” when you’re talking about youth risk behaviors will help folks realize that there’s more to learn about the issue, and that it’s not just harmless fun for some.
To learn even more, go to 1877mylimit.org and click on the Resources tab at the top, then scroll down to Oregon Problem Gambling Resource Guide under the photo…there’s a wealth of information there!

10. Connect with your local problem gambling prevention/outreach specialist…if you don’t know who that person is, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with them.

Thanks for your help!

Wendy Hausotter
OHA Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator
Wendy.hausotter@state.or.us
503-945-9703