EDC to Present at Problem Gambling Conference
EDC experts in public health and gambling prevention will be featured at the 2025 Massachusetts Problem Gambling Conference on June 4 in Norwood, MA. Hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services, the conference will bring together public health experts and individuals with lived experience to foster conversations about the state’s response to problem gambling.
Harm Reduction: Strategies for the Problem Gambling Field (1:30 p.m., Room 101). In this session, Haner Hernández will discuss how a harm reduction approach can drive an effective public health response to problem gambling for people who are at greater risk for developing a gambling problem. He will share specific strategies and techniques for using a harm reduction approach. The session will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
High Stakes: Understanding the Link Between Suicide and Problem Gambling (1:30 p.m., Room 104). Depression, feelings of hopelessness, social isolation, and financial burdens are all risk factors for both problem gambling and suicide. In this interactive session, Sarah Jerome and Lauri Solomon will present case studies and data to underline the overlap between problem gambling and suicidality. They will also discuss how problem gambling prevention practitioners can integrate the assessment and referral of at-risk individuals into suicide prevention efforts.
Leveraging the Arts in Prevention: The Story of Photovoice (2:45 p.m., Room 104). The Massachusetts Photovoice Project uses the medium of photography to help young people explore the impact of problem gambling in their community. In this panel, Sarah Jerome, Emily Bhargava, and Shannon Cassidy will facilitate a conversation about blending art, prevention, and youth development with four Photovoice site coordinators from across the state.
We invite you to learn about the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Prevention Center on Excellence that EDC manages for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services and our work to prevent problem gambling, suicide, and substance use.
