Part 8: Catherine Chen’s Post Graduation Journey–What life is like!

It’s been a busy few weeks since my last post, with interstate travel to Sydney and Canberra, some well-deserved downtime, and the end of the AFL season. Alongside these personal and professional moments, new research findings and statistics on problem gambling have been released, perfectly timed ahead of Melbourne Cup Day 2024 and the upcoming Gambling Awareness Week (18 to 24 November) in Victoria. These reports highlight the increasing challenges we face in tackling gambling harm and emphasise how vital it is to address these issues head-on.

One key study that caught my attention was The Bets ’n’ Booze study by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AIFS), which found:

  • Problem gamblers are more likely to misuse alcohol.
  • Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing gambling issues.
  • Both behaviours are linked to shared risk factors, including mental health challenges.
  • Integrated approaches to prevention and treatment are crucial for addressing both gambling and alcohol misuse effectively.

The latest edition of Australian Gambling Statistics was also released by the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, providing updated data for 2021-22 and 2022-23. The numbers are sobering:

  • Total Australian gambling losses = $32 billion (up from $25 billion pre-Covid).
  • Average loss per Australian adult = $1,555 (up from $1,307 in 2018-19).
  • In Victoria, total losses for 2022-23 reached $7.4 billion, with $1,401 lost per adult.

These statistics really hit home during a recent community engagement event I attended as a therapeutic Counsellor alongside the financial counsellor and community engagement officer from my team. We partnered with the local council and a community legal centre to raise awareness about financial and elder abuse. Tim Costello was the guest speaker of the day, and his powerful message advocating for a total ban on gambling ads truly resonated with the audience. It was inspiring to see so many people working together towards the same goal, and I feel proud to be part of this larger movement, even in a small way.

So, where do I fit in all of this as a Counsellor? For me, it’s about showing up for my clients—whether I’m part of a broader support system or sometimes the only one standing by their side. It’s about being a steady presence when everything else feels uncertain. If I can witness even one life transformed because of our work together, that’s everything. It’s a reminder that every small victory matters, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. We’ll keep pushing forward, knowing that each step brings us closer to meaningful change, no matter how small.

Sakata, K., Jenkinson, R., Vandenberg, B., Greer, N., Wickramasinghe, S., & Jatkar, U. (2024). Bets ’n’ Booze research summary Intersections of gambling and alcohol use among Australian youth and young adults. Melbourne: Australian Gambling Research Centre, Australian Institute of Family Studies

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