A gambling harms training programme spearheaded by UK charity YGAM has had positive results so far, according to an independent evaluation by the Responsible Gaming Council (RGC).
Launched in September 2020, the “Mindful Resilience” programme involved a series of training workshops regarding gambling addiction treatment participated in by healthcare professionals throughout the country.
Mindful Resilience Delivering Promising Results
Training conducted under the Mindful Resilience initiative covered GPs, nurses, and other professionals in the healthcare sector. Of those who took part in the workshops, 91% said the programme was “good” or “very good”, with a further 67% saying they had already started putting into practice what they learned from the workshops.
The RGC assessment also stated that the participants have become more confident in their abilities to help address gambling harms since participating in the programme, with their confidence ratings nearly doubling each year. Furthermore, 64% reported applying the lessons when working with children.
Overall, responses and feedback have overwhelmingly been positive, with the workshops delivering very promising results for healthcare professionals, according to RGC CEO Shelley White.
YGAM Welcomes RGC Evaluation
YGAM’s Director of Programmes Linda Scollins Smith welcomed the findings of the assessment, treating it as a positive step in increasing awareness about gambling harms within the healthcare sector.
The charity ran the Mindful Resilience programme through 2022, in partnership with the RGC, the University of Bournemouth, and Betknowmore UK.