American Psychological Association

A core mission of the NCRG is to encourage the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies. One of the ways we are fulfilling that mission is to launch the NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series. This year, the NCRG will host five regional workshops this year that will allow treatment providers to better understand the most up-to-date research on gambling disorders and apply those findings to their clinical practice. Each training session will feature leading researchers and clinicians in the field of gambling disorders, and topics will range from screenings and assessments for pathological gambling to new manuals detailing behavioral treatment strategies.

For the NCRG, summertime brings a busy season of travel, exciting conferences and speaking engagements. This summer is no exception, and we want to make sure you know where we will be discussing research on gambling disorders and the latest in responsible gaming.

There are many exciting new developments regarding continuing education credits for the 12^th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction! Last week, we announced that the NCRG is an APA-approved continuing education sponsor. We just heard the news that the Employee Assistance Certification Commission (EACC) has also approved the 12th Annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction for 13 professional development hours.

The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is pleased to announce that we are now approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. We are very excited for this new accreditation option! This achievement enhances the NCRG’s ability to offer advanced training, webinars and workshops on gambling addiction to the APA’s more than 154,000 members.

Last week, the American Psychological Association (APA) sponsored a “Mental Health Blog Party” where they encouraged everyone to blog about what mental health means to them, either as individuals or mental health professionals. More than 130 blogs were posted and more than 500 people participated on Twitter (hashtag #mhblogday), with topics ranging from depression and bipolar disorder to advising parents on how to talk to their children about drug and alcohol abuse. One concept that resonated throughout the wide variety of topics was the public’s misperception and stigma associated with mental health issues. The same is true for the field of gambling disorders. Even though pathological gambling was not addressed by any blogger for the APA’s blog party, we believe it is important for it to be a part of the conversation.

Despite scientific advances in understanding mental health problems, the stigma surrounding disorders such as depression, substance-use problems and disordered gambling behavior remains a powerful force in today’s society. Mental Health America is observing Mental Health Month in May to increase public awareness of mental health issues and reduce the stigma and prejudice toward these problems.

Clinicians and patients report that embarrassment and shame can be especially acute for individuals with gambling problems because of the lack of public awareness about how an activity like gambling can be as powerful as a drug for a vulnerable person.

To help us reflect on this important issue, we have reproduced, with permission from the American Psychological Association (APA), the following interview about mental health awareness and stigma with Katherine C. Nordal, Ph.D., executive director for professional practice at the APA.