March 11, 2025, marks Gambling Disorder Screening Day, an observance held annually on the second Tuesday of March as part of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) acknowledges this day as a significant opportunity to identify, support, and connect Indigenous women and their families with essential resources related to problem gambling.
This year’s theme is Connecting our Spirit to Stories and Knowledge Sharing. This theme correlates with the National Council on Problem Gambling theme of Seeking Connections. We are fostering a deeper understanding of the issue, encouraging empathy, reducing barriers to treatment, and providing support to those affected by gambling-related harm.
Gambling Disorder can result in a range of adverse impacts, including financial, emotional, social, occupational, and physical challenges. Unfortunately, numerous cases of Gambling Disorder remain undetected due to insufficient assessment practices. If there are concerns regarding one's own gambling behavior or that of a loved one, utilizing a gambling disorder screening tool is crucial for early detection of related issues.
ONWA is dedicated to empowering Indigenous women and their families to seek support and access relevant resources. We encourage all community members to strengthen their connections with family, friends, and local services to enhance overall well-being and foster healing. Promoting a sense of belonging and empowerment, anchored in our identity and heritage, enhances our capacity to support ourselves, our families, and our communities.
To learn more about:
Gambling Disorder Screening Tools: https://www.divisiononaddiction.org/outreach-resources/gdsd/
National Council on Problem Gambling: https://www.ncpgambling.org/ncpg/
Responsible Gambling Council: https://responsiblegambling.org/
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