Welcome! Before we start the webinar, we will try to make sure that you can hear the presenters and communicate with us in various ways. Look at the chat area towards the bottom of the screen to read messages sent to the group. To enter the chat, type in the space and press Enter/Return. Click on the arrow next to Feedback above the list of attendees. We will be using the following choices: I agree (thumbs-up), I do not agree (thumbs-down), I have a question (raised hand) o Please show a “thumbs-up” if you can hear the presenter. o Make sure you are using a headset or earbuds, have turned off your cell phone, and have closed all programs not related to the webinar. Thanks!

Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Project Team: Our Presenters CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011 Meryl B. Menon, M.A.T., M.Ed Education Consultant Susan D. McLaughlin, M.P.A., CPP Prevention Services Coordinator, Department of Mental Health Addictive Services (DMHAS), Problem Gambling Services Rosemary Nichols, B.S. Education Service Specialist & Health Educator, Capitol Region Educational Center (CREC), Technical Assistance and Brokering Service (TABS) Division

Feedback of Registration Grade level Gender Getting Help Talking with Parents/Guardians Most important to learn from webinar

Poll 1: How would you rate your level of understanding about gambling and problem gambling? High Medium Low Not Sure

Poll 2: What is your level of comfort in talking about gambling or problem gambling with peers? High Medium Low Not sure

Goals: To Provide Peer Leaders with …. 1. Basic Awareness of Gambling as a Risky Behavior Across the Lifespan; 2. Rationale for the Three Important Messages; 3. Tools to Share this Information with Peers and Adults. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

…and to Explore Some Questions from GAMES: What is going on Inside the Brain? What is the difference between Male and Female Risk Taking—esp. Gambling? What is the difference between “Legal” and “Illegal” Gambling? How does Gambling fit within the Cultural and Social Context? Why Problem Gambling Prevention? What about a “Personal Story”? CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Goal #1: To provide Peer Leaders with an Awareness of Gambling as a Risky Behavior across the Lifespan. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders, 2011

What caption would you give this photo? Please use the chat area for your response. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Gambling is: The act of risking something of value, including money and property, on an activity that has an uncertain outcome. Problem Gambling: gambling behavior that results in problems with work, school, family, or finances, but does not meet the number of criteria to be recognized as: Compulsive/Pathological Gambling: meets the APA Diagnostic & Statistical Manual IV criteria for the impulse disorder of pathological gambling. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Rates of Pathological Gambling Across the Lifespan Carlson & Moore, 1998; Shaffer & Hall, 2001; Moore, 2001; Volberg, 2001 CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Prevalence of Problem Gambling One out of twenty CT citizens will develop a gambling problem at some point in their lives. Each problem gambler impacts 8 other people. DMHAS PGS % of all CT students have worry/concern over the gambling of a close family member. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

I think there is a difference between the way males and females participate in gambling. Choose either "I agree" or "I do not agree" in the drop-down menu for Feedback.

Risky Behaviors ADHD School Truancy. Illegal Acts Male ATOD Use Gambling Sexual Behavior Youth Problem Gambling as a Component of Risky Behaviors Adapted from Dr. Ken Winters, 2011 CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem Might be similar to signs of alcohol and other drug problems Lying to friends/family about gambling; Avoiding/neglecting responsibilities/problems due to preoccupation with gambling; Frequent mood swings; Gambling to solve problems & change mood; Conflicts in relationships; Making unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop; Seemingly irresistible urges to gamble; and… CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Additional Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem o Borrowing $ to gamble; o “Chasing” after lost $ by further gambling; o Theft of goods or $ to gamble. o If it causes a problem, it IS a problem! CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Poll 3: What kind of gambling do you think is the most popular with high school youth? Cards Sports betting Lottery Internet Other

Youth Gambling at School from CT Youth Gambling Report % of respondents witnessed youth gambling at school. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

CT DMHAS Problem Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

“The Adolescent Brain has an accelerator that is more developed than the brakes.” Dr. Ken Winters, University of Minnesota CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011 Video on Adolescent Brain Development

Cerebellum Neurological Maturation Starts at the Back of the Brain, and Moves to the Front Prefrontal Cortex Judgment is last to develop ! Nucleus Accumbens Amygdala Physical Coordination Emotion Motivation Judgment Thank Thank you to Ken Winters CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Normal Adolescent Brain Development and Gambling Gambling? Risk Taking (particularly in groups) Preference for Short Term Rewards Sensitivity to Reward and Novel Stimuli Preference for Low Effort, High excitement Risky Behavior associated with Positive Outcomes Capacity for Good Judgment and Decision Making CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011 CT

Teens Prone to Make Decisions that… Are More Impulsive; >Short-term Payoffs; <Longer-term Consequences; Do Not Consider Alternatives; Reflect a High Degree of Risk; and Are Vulnerable to Peer Pressure. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Age of “Onset” (When something begins) “The earlier people begin gambling, the more likely they are to experience problems from gambling.” National Academy of Sciences, % of students classified as possible “problem or pathological gamblers” reported starting gambling at age 8 or younger. CT Youth Gambling Report 2008 CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

“Speed of Play” The more rapid the “play”, the more risky the activity, making electronic gambling (slots, internet gambling) more potentially addicting than other forms of gambling. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

I recognize some of these features of the adolescent brain in myself or my peers. Choose either "I agree" or "I do not agree" in the drop-down menu for Feedback.

Goal #2: Rationale of the Three Important Messages CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Three Important Messages 1. It’s O.K. to choose not to gamble. 2. It’s not O.K. to participate in illegal or underage gambling. 3. If you choose to gamble, it’s important to know how to reduce the risk of developing gambling problems. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

What’s Legal and What’s Not? Age restrictions: Casino, Lottery, OTB Activities: Poker, Internet, Pools, Sports Betting, Charitable Games When in Doubt: Division of Special Revenue/Dept. of Consumer Protection CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

How to Reduce Risk If You Choose to Gamble: Gamble as a form of Recreation, Not to Make Money or Make up for Previous Losses. Set a Limit on how much Time & Money you will spend and Stick To It! Gamble in a Social Setting, Not Alone, and with Money you Can Afford to Lose! CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

High Risk Gambling Avoid situations where you are: Coping with Grief, Loneliness, Anger or Depression; Under Financial Pressure or Stress; Recovering from Mental Health or Substance Abuse Disorders; Using Alcohol or Other Drugs; Under the Legal Age to Gamble. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

The Public Health Model for Gambling Awareness: Protect vulnerable groups from gambling related harm; Foster and promote personal & social responsibility in all populations. (Korn & Shaffer, 1999) CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Goals of PG Prevention Awareness & Education Create Awareness: o of Gambling as a “Risky Behavior” similar to alcohol use; of Gambling Attitudes & Behaviors; Develop good Decision-Makers; Increase Capacity across t he Lifespan. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

When We Talk About Gambling, we Help to Increase “Protective Factors”. Problem Gambling Awareness teaches people to: Make Healthy Choices; Reduce Risk of Addiction; Set Personal Limits; Feel more Empowered and better about themselves. These skills are useful in all “risky” decisions, and in all areas of our lives. When we assist others in learning these skills, we are giving them tools that will last a lifetime! CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Resources to Know and Share CT Problem Gambling Helpline: For people with gambling problems and those impacted by them. Confidential, 24/7, Interpreter Available Live Chat (check for Hours Available) Click on CHAT Gambling Awareness wiki CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services CT Council on Problem Gambling CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Raising Awareness in Your School and Community Not Anti-Gambling. Support of School Administration, Teachers, Counselors, Parents, Community. Integration into Classes on Addictions, Math, History, English, Social Sciences, etc. Review Policies on Fundraisers, Raffles, Cards/Dice & other games of chance. Peer-to-Peer and Youth-to-Adult. Three Important Messages. Multiple Strategies/Multiple Targets. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Goal #3:Tools to Share this Information with Peers and Adults.

Now what caption would you give this photo? Please use the chat area for your response. CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

Activities for Peer Leaders  Word Splash  Scenarios  3-2-1

Scenario Example Your younger brother/sister was betting on football games with friends and owes money. You are surprised, as you didn’t even know he/she gambled. What do you do?

things that you learned during the presentation or webinar 2 things that you liked about the presentation or the webinar 1 suggestion for the next presentation or webinar

Choose the Right Path wiki Tool for Educators Pages for Peer Leaders General Guidelines o Contributing to discussions o Exploring and commenting on web sites o Responding to each other in discussions o Adding to VoiceThread on You Tell Your Friend

CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Choose the Right Path, 2009

Table of Contents

You Tell Your Friend Public Service Announcement Voice Thread for comments o See page on wiki for instructions Thoughts from GAMES Alumni

Poll 4: After participating in the webinar, how would you rate your level of understanding about gambling and problem gambling? High Medium Low Not sure

Poll 5: After participating in the webinar, what is your level of comfort with talking about gambling or problem gambling with peers? High Medium Low Not sure

Closing Question and Remarks Did you find the webinar informative? Feedback: “I agree” (yes) or “do not agree” (no) A survey will arrive via soon. Please complete upon receipt and submit. You will receive instructions at the next GAMES session for using the wiki.

CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011 Thank You and Congratulations!

Addendum Following are slides that we did not include in the webinar, but that may include helpful information.

Types of Gamblers A “Spectrum Disorder" No Gambling/Social Gam./Serious Social Gam./Problem Gam./Pathological Professional Gambler ?? CT DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011

The Pruning Process: “Use it or lose it” “If a teen is doing music, or sports, or academics, those are the cells and connections that will be hardwired. If they are lying on the couch, or playing video games, or watching MTV, those are the cells and connections that are going to survive.” Dr. Jay Giedd, NIMH, 2000 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, Gambling Awareness for Peer Leaders 2011