Tag: #MentalHealth

The idea of making New Year’s resolutions goes back more than 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. During a 12‑day festival called Akitu, which marked their new year in mid‑March, they pledged to their gods that they would repay debts and return borrowed goods. Keeping these promises was believed to bring favor; breaking them risked…
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Life can get busy with work, family, and everyday responsibilities, but for those who feel lonely or down, each day can feel like an eternity—especially for individuals struggling with problem gambling, substance use, depression, or other behavioral challenges. At the Florida Council on Problem Gambling (FCCG), our goal is to educate the public and raise…
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The holidays are here again, and for problem gamblers, this season can bring added stress—especially when money is already tight for food, family, and gifts. With the rising cost of everything from groceries to gas, it’s even more challenging to make ends meet. Each December, we join the Gift Responsibly Campaign to raise awareness about…
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National Depression and Mental Health Awareness and Screening Month is recognized every October. The event raises awareness about depression, encourage screening for signs and symptoms, and connect individuals with support for mental health challenges – including disordered gambling and substance use. It’s a reminder that help is available, and that recognizing the need for support…
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Many people who gamble casually for entertainment may not realize the serious consequences faced by those suffering from disordered gambling. Beyond financial struggles, strained relationships, and career setbacks, problem gambling can also take a toll on physical, psychological, and emotional health. Issues such as chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and heart problems are common, highlighting that…
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Many adults may not realize that children can start gambling at a very young age. Nowadays, with most children receiving smartphones around the ages of 10 to 11, this not only exposes them to social media peer pressure but also to the risk of engaging in gambling as minors. Problem gambling is a hidden addiction…
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As Super Bowl LIX approaches, millions of Floridians are gearing up for the biggest sporting event of the year. While for many, the day is about football, food, and fun, for others, it can trigger or exacerbate gambling problems. With the American Gaming Association projecting a record $1.39 billion in legal wagers for this year’s…
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When we find ourselves caught in the grip of addiction, particularly problem gambling, we often experience a profound shift in our core values and moral compass. These fundamental aspects of our character, which we may have taken for granted, suddenly come into sharp focus as they begin to erode under the weight of addictive behavior.…
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Many people gamble, and most can do so safely as a form of recreation. But for some who are at a higher risk for addiction, or use gambling to decompress and escape from life stressors, it can become a much bigger issue. There are many reasons someone starts gambling. For most, it’s a social experience…
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Living with someone who has a problem with gambling can be life changing. The problem may have started slow with just recreational gambling for fun, and you may have joined them. The problem may have been there before you came into their lives, but because part of this disease is pathological lying, you may have…
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