Having The Conversation

Gambling Harm Awareness in Professional Cricket Having The Conversation

Initiating open and supportive conversations is pivotal when it comes to addressing potential gambling issues.

Having these conversations plays a crucial role in opening up support pathways to allow those affected to access the help and support they need. It’s about reaching out, listening, and ensuring that no one faces gambling challenges alone.

If you are concerned someone is suffering from gambling harm, it can be a difficult subject to raise with them.

In the next section, Marc and Chris discuss how to go about opening up a conversation.

No-one is expecting you to be an expert on gambling harm, but below are a few pointers on how you can approach someone in a non-confrontational way.

Below are a variety of different ways you could approach the situation and the potential consequences of doing so.

Robotic adherence

There is no emotional connection – deals with numbers, not people
Person is frustrated because they do not feel heard
Person is not tuned in to the conversation

Emotionally over-invested

You may feel everything with the person
Person frustrated as their story is not their own
They may worry about ‘putting it on’ you (i.e. making their problems become yours)
You are unable to support the person

Empathy and Humility

Emotions play an important role, but remain separate
Player feels heard, understood, accepted and supported
Coach able to manage their own emotional response

Providing a safe space

When dealing with vulnerability, it is important to provide a safe space in order to harbour a good and open conversation. The SAFE method can provide a structure to enable you to do this.

S – Set it up

What is your goal? And theirs?
What is realistic to achieve here?
Keep things as simple as possible – the opening conversation is key to a positive outcome

A – Avoid assumption

Listen not only for the words, but for the tone, emotion and intent
Ask questions, avoid opinion and let them have their say
Leave space for them to digest/ask questions

F – Facts and feelings

Imagine yourself in their position, how would you feel?
Show empathy and humility to provide a SAFE space

E – Encourage

Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Encourage and signpost to appropriate professional help if needed

To summarise…

Finding the balance is key!

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