GambleAware

Free training to empower conversations about gambling 

Mental Health First Aid International has partnered with the Office of Responsible Gambling NSW to deliver free Conversations about Gambling and Talking about Gambling courses.

INTERVENE EARLY

Recognise the signs that indicate someone may be experiencing harm from their gambling.

OFFER SUPPORT

Learn the skills to have an open, supportive conversation about gambling harm.

RESPOND IN A CRISIS

Respond to a person who may be at risk of experiencing gambling harm.

REDUCE STIGMA

Reduce stigma and increase support for adults experiencing harm from their gambling.

Make a difference in your community 

Do you want to learn the skills to have safe, informed conversations to support someone who may be experiencing gambling harm?

Funded by the Office of Responsible Gambling NSW, Mental Health First Aid is offering free Conversations about Gambling and Talking about Gambling courses to residents and communities in New South Wales. 

The free trainingis available to any adults in NSW seeking to help family, friends, co-workers or others in their community who may be experiencing gambling harm or a gambling-related mental health crisis.

For individuals who support Aboriginal and Torrres Strait Islander peoples, the Talking about Gambling course grounds the material in social and emotional wellbeing from a First Nations perspective, equipping participants with the skills to provide mental health first aid in a culturally safe and informed way.

Whether you’re an individual or part of a group or organisation that supports people experiencing gambling harm, these courses provides the essential skills to support those in need.

Register for a course or share information with members of your community to help make a difference to those experiencing gambling harm.

Watch this short video to learn more about the course.

Course information

Course format

Face-to-Face

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Course duration

4 hours

Cost

Free

Available to

NSW residents

Program duration

September 2024 – April 2025

Build confidence in addressing gambling harm

Gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to a friend, family member, co-worker or other person, experiencing harm or a mental health crisis related to their gambling.

What you will learn 

Course participants learn how to provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing gambling harm or a gambling-related mental health crisis, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. 

You will learn about:

  • the signs that may indicate a person is experiencing harm from their gambling
  • how to recognise and respond to suicidal thoughts and behaviours
  • the interventions and supports available to encourage pathways to professional help. 

Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, you will learn how to approach someone you are concerned about and initiate a conversation about those concerns.

You will also learn how to offer initial support and information and how to encourage the person to seek professional help or other supports. 

Program information 

Below are the Mental Health First Aid instructors that are delivering the Conversations about Gambling course as part of the GambleAware program.

Please select the course that best suits you and register your interest.

If you have any questions about these courses, please email gambleaware@mhfa.com.au

Please note: Dates may be subject to change.

Michelle Hillier

Michelle Hillier

Blue Mountains and Western Sydney

March 2025

Selina Thomas

Selina Thomas

Murrumbidgee, Illawarra

Wagga Wagga
25 November 2024

Corrimal 
20 November 2024

Thomas Pulleine

Thomas Pulleine

Hunter New England

Feb/Mar 2025

Mark Smith

Mark Smith

Mid and Northern NSW

Coffs Harbour
6 March 2025

Caroline Haines

Caroline Haines

Mid and Northern NSW

February

Robyn Rottinger

Robyn Rottinger

Northern Sydney and Central Coast

Erina
12 February 2025

Philippa Cameron

Philippa Cameron

Central Sydney, NSW

Campsie
6 November 2024

Roisin Trainor

Roisin Trainor

South Eastern Sydney

Zetland
3 February 2025

Damien Burke

Damien Burke

South Western Sydney

Mount Annan
8 March 2025

Jennie O'Hara

Jennie O'Hara

Far and Western NSW, Illawarra

Online course
11 February 2025

Why MHFA?

Evidence-based: All Mental Health First Aid courses are based on guidelines that are informed by people with lived experience, their caregivers, and mental health professionals.

Rigorously evaluated: Evaluations consistently show that Mental Health First Aid training improves participants’ knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and confidence in providing mental health first aid to individuals.

Skills-based: Teaches the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a difference.

Internationally recognised: Over 7 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across 30 countries.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to: 

  • Recognise the signs that indicate someone may be experiencing harm from their gambling 
  • Understand the prevalence of gambling problems in Australia 
  • Understand the continuum of gambling and the risk factors associated with harmful gambling 
  • Understand the motivations for gambling and the relationship between harmful gambling and mental health problems 
  • Use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation 
  • Know how to recognise signs of and provide initial support to someone who may be at risk of suicide 
  • Know the barriers to help seeking and how to overcome these 
  • Understand risk factors and treatments and supports available for people experiencing harm from their gambling 
  • Understand relapse in the context of harmful gambling 
  • Apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider.

Suitability

Suitable for individuals, workplaces of all sizes and volunteer and community-based groups. 
Any adult (aged 18+) can attend. 

Course Content

Participants in this course will learn how to apply mental health first aid to a person experiencing harm from their gambling.

Duration & Format

This half-day course is delivered face to face by an MHFA trained and Licensed Instructor. 

Accreditation

There is no accreditation for this course. 

Course Fees

These courses are fully funded and are completely free of charge. 


The clear steps – ALGEE (action plan) for crisis support – that I can follow when talking to someone are helpful.

I love Mental Health First Aid courses like this one because of the degree of research that goes into it. It has a lot more research than a lot of other products out there.


Pleased to say not only did I learn a lot, but I also found the style of presentation and the content very easy to understand and helpful.

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