Mental Health and Gambling
Gambling is when you put something of value, usually money, on a chance event and hope that you win. You can do this in many ways, including betting on football matches, horse races, scratchcards or games like blackjack and video poker. The odds on these events are determined by how likely it is that you will win, and if you do, you get the prize.
While gambling can be a fun and social activity, it can also have negative effects on your mental health. If you are worried about your own gambling or that of a friend or family member, we recommend seeking professional advice. There is a lot of help available, from free debt advice to psychotherapy. You can find details of these services on our Where to get help page.
Harmful gambling is a serious problem that can lead to thoughts of suicide, depression and anxiety. If you are having these thoughts, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. Gambling can also make you feel guilty if you lose, which can have a negative impact on your relationships and self-esteem. You may also be more at risk of harmful gambling if you have a mental health condition.
Whether you gamble for the adrenaline rush, to socialise or as an escape from stress and worries, gambling can be addictive and have a negative impact on your mental health. This is especially true for people with a mental health condition. If you have a mental health problem and are gambling, or know someone who is, we recommend getting help as soon as possible. There is a wide range of treatment options, including psychotherapy, group therapy and self-help tips.
Gambling can have positive and negative impacts on a person’s financial, labour and health status. It can have an effect on a person’s psychological and emotional well-being, and it can also affect their work and family life. It can also have a negative impact on the community or society.
It is important to consider the social costs and benefits of gambling when making decisions about regulating the industry. However, there is currently no common methodology for assessing the social impacts of gambling. This is because most of the impacts are non-monetary and difficult to quantify. In addition, many studies have ignored these social impacts, choosing instead to focus on monetary costs and benefits, which are easier to measure.
A more useful methodological approach is to use a framework that combines economic and social impacts into one analysis. This can give researchers and policymakers a more complete picture of the risks and benefits of gambling. It can also help them decide which gambling policies will reduce the most costs and increase the most benefits.