In This Issue:

• Notes from Wiley
• Consultation Calls
• CREOKS Continuing Education Training on Mindfulness
• Peer Recovery Support Specialist Problem Gambling Virtual Training
• Suicide Prevention and Recovery Conference
• Motivational Interviewing Training with Debra Neal

Notes from Wiley

When Covid-19 hit, the casinos closed the following month, and no one knew what it would like for the problem gambling world.  Initially, Helpline calls ceased, there were very few requests for counseling, and there were only 4 requests for self-exclusion from the State-wide program.  Now that the casinos have been open a few months, we are currently back to the same levels of calls, requests for help, and exclusion from the casinos.  It seems as if everyone figured out, they could live without many of the customary activities but once the opportunity returned, the problem gambler picked up where they left.

Fortunately, the providers of problem gambling services have not gone anywhere and with telehealth, there is no reason anyone with a problem cannot receive help.  One of the issues is that only 10% of those that meet the criteria for Gambling Disorder ever seek help.  Now that opportunities to gamble have returned it gives those that have problems to reflect on the months they could not gamble and wonder if their lives were better.

This past week we received one of the regular calls from those who have excluded themselves from the casinos and now they want to return.  We always say no and that once the request and the form is entered into the system, only the gaming commission of each tribe can lift the form.  The next call was from a person that had begged two years ago to be lifted and we graciously said no but offered any help that is needed.  The caller thanked us for our kindness and consistency and now realized they needed help.  The problem for this person is there are always a few casinos that do not participate in the State-wide self-exclusion program so they can always find a place to gamble.  We must wait until gamblers become convinced, they have a problem and that they cannot quit on their own.

Even though we have the Helpline and some billboards promoting the Helpline number, the public still does not know there is help available and that for most people the help is free of charge.  We are the only advocates that can help this problem.  Talk to everyone you know about Gambling Disorder and that help is available.  Now we must also have the conversation about Gaming Disorder and all the same issues will be present.

I wish for each of you that you find ways to be physically active, mentally at peace, safe, and healthy.

Wiley D. Harwell
Executive Director of OAPCG

Upcoming Events

OAPCG Outreach

OAPCG completed its first live online 30-hour basic training for problem gambling in September and is now hosting an online training from September to December.

The Native Youth 2020 Virtual Summit was held on August 6.  The virtual presentation included notable Native musicians, athletes, and comedians including Chance Rush, Levi Horn, Kasey Nicholson, Brian Frejo, Christian “Supaman” Parrish, and Ronald Wahkinney.  The video has now been viewed over 40,000 times and counting.  A special “thank you” is extended to Raquel Ramos, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Tribal Youth Connections and Cheyenne and Arapaho’s Tradition Not Addiction prevention program.

On August 26, 2020, a 3-hour presentation entitled Peer Recovery Support Specialist Problem Gambling Virtual Training was sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). Ronald Wahkinney presented OAPCG’s new Self-Help Workbook for Problem Gambling to 52 state certified PRSS professionals.