Take time out during Gambling Harm Awareness Week

Gambling is meant to be fun and social, but it can easily become a problem. Gambling harm can escalate quickly, damaging relationships, whānau, finances and hopes for the future.

It is important to recognise when gambling is no longer just for fun and may be starting to cause harm.

There are some things we can all do to change this situation. Evidence shows that spending time with a loved one and sharing rewarding activities together (like fishing or sharing kai) is a practical way to beat gambling harm.

Gambling Harm Awareness Week (3rd to 9th September 2018) is about:

• Raising awareness of gambling harm in Aotearoa; and
• Providing positive ways for people to take time out from gambling and put time into whānau, family, aiga and fāmili

You can call 0800 654 655 or text to 8006 for 24-hour information and support if you are concerned about someone else’s gambling or wondering about your own gambling.

• Learn about the early signs of harmful gambling.
• Take a quiz to find out if your gambling is becoming risky.

Pause the pokies initiative

The Problem Gambling Foundation, Mapu Maia and Asian Family Services are running an initiative called Pause the Pokies.

Pause the Pokies invites a venue to turn off its pokie machines for one hour during Gambling Harm Awareness Week.

Pause the Pokies gives venues an opportunity to stand in solidarity with individuals, families and the community and provides a platform to raise publicity around the issue of gambling harm. It is hoped that this small interuption will cause gamblers to pause, reflect and seek assistance from a local face-to-face support services.

• Find out more about the Pause the Pokies initiative.

Some facts about gambling and gambling harm in New Zealand

• Every day New Zealanders lose on average $6.4 million on gambling – that’s around $2.3 billion each year.
• Around $870 million is lost on pokie machines in pubs and clubs each year. Each machine takes on average $55,5655 out of its players’ pockets each year!
• It’s likely that 186,000 Kiwis are experiencing a level of gambling-related harm –  the same as the population of Rotorua!
• People who bet on pokies, sport or racing at least monthly are most at risk of gambling harm – half pokie players and 1 in 4 sports or racing players experience a level of harm.
• Around 1 in 10 people who buy Lotteries Commission products at least monthly are likely to experience a level of harm.
• Māori, Pacific and Asian gamblers are disproportionally affected by gambling harm – up to 3 times more likely that NZ European/ Pakeha gamblers.
• Friends and whānau are commonly affected. 1 in 5 New Zealand adults have been affected at some time in their lives by their own gambling or the gambling of others.

Gambling harm can negatively impact finances, damage relationships, disrupt work and study, and lead to emotional and psychological distress.

Sources: Health Promotion Agency and Choice not Chance websites.

Get up to date this Cervical Screening Awareness Month

Young girls and women are being encouraged to get up to date with their HPV immunisation and cervical smears this Cervical Screening Awareness Month.

“We know that cervical cancer is one the most preventable cancers, and being immunised against HPV as a young women and having regular smears as an adult helps reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by around 90 percent,” says Clinical Director of the National Screening Unit Dr Jane O’Hallahan.

HPV immunisation is currently free for girls and young women from 9 to 26 years, and also for boys and young men. The HPV Immunisation Programme aims to protect young people from HPV infection, which causes more than 90 per cent of cervical cancers.

• Get more information on the HPV immunisation programme.
• Download a pamphlet on the HPV immunisation programme.

Smear tests through the National Cervical Screening Programme

Around 1.5 million women are enrolled in the National Cervical Screening Programme and around 400,000 women are screened annually. A cervical smear test usually takes less than 15 minutes and should be done every three years. Your smear test won’t cost any more than the normal cost to see your doctor or nurse.

“The National Cervical Screening Programme aims to get 80 percent of New Zealand women between the ages of 20 and 70 screened regularly. There’s much work to be done, especially with Māori, Pacific and Asian women.”

“We’re taking a multi-pronged approach to getting women to participate in regular screening. We contract with a number of providers who deliver individually-tailored and practical support, such as transporting and accompanying women to screening appointments. We also offer free smears for some women.”

“Currently around 150 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 50 women die from it each year in New Zealand. HPV immunisation combined with regular smears is the best way to bring these numbers down.”

Find out when your next smear is due by calling your GP or freephone 0800 729 729.

• Get more information on the National Cervical Screening programme.

Source: National Screening Unit and Time to Screen websites.

Give generously on Daffodil Day

The daffodil is one of the first flowers of spring, whose bright yellow blooms remind us of the joys the new season will bring. It represents hope for the 1 in 3 New Zealanders affected by cancer.

Daffodil Day (Friday 31st August 2018) is a major funding source for the Cancer Society, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer in New Zealand.

You can help by volunteering as a Daffodil Day collector – over 7,000 collectors are needed nationwide.

Ways you can donate to Daffodil Day

1. Make a cash donation to an official street collector on Daffodil Day in exchange for a daffodil or other merchandise;
2. Call 0900 31 111 to make an instant $20 donation – automatically charged to your telephone account;
3. Simply text “hope” to 469 to make an instant $3 donation;
4. Donate online with your credit card, using a secure online donation form.

How your Daffodil Day donations make a difference

Your donations will go towards vital scientific research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer, as well as providing a wide range of support services, education and awareness campaigns or programmes for people affected by cancer in your area.

There are many ways a donation makes a difference for people with cancer:

• $10 provides people affected by cancer with important support and information resources;
• $20 contributes to the free Cancer Information Helpline – 0800 CANCER (0800 226 237);
• $35 provides petrol for volunteers to drive people to hospital appointments;
• $50 offers counselling and support to people affected by cancer;
• $100 helps make schools SunSmart and our communities Smokefree;
• $150 provides accommodation for those undergoing cancer treatment away from home; and
• $200 helps fund ground-breaking research into new and better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer.

Any donation will make a difference in the life of someone living with cancer – no matter how large or small.

Find out more about the services provided by the Cancer Society NZ.

Source: Daffodil Day website.