Prevention
Free, compassionate support for people affected by gambling-related harm and suicidal thoughts.
Our service
If gambling is affecting your wellbeing, leaving you feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, trapped, or experiencing thoughts of suicide, we're here to help.
We provide practical and emotional suicide prevention support to people whose lives have been impacted by gambling-related harm, including those who gamble and those affected by someone else's gambling.
Feeling helpless, worthless or hopeless are common feelings associated with feeling suicidal. Often, these thoughts can be overwhelming and prevent you from feeling anything else. Sharing or expressing these feelings can be helpful.
We know how important it is to provide timely support at an appropriate time and place. That's why we will work alongside everybody who comes into our service to see how we can best support their journey specifically.
If you feel like you are at risk, there are lots of services available to help you. If you or someone you know needs urgent help, call 999
Get urgent help
Practical and emotional support
When working with a designated Support Officer, we will take time to understand your situation, listen to your needs, and explore how we can best help you. Our team can focus on a bespoke plan, which can include emotional and practical support to those who are experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Get Support
Our Gambling Harms Suicide Prevention Support service is available throughout County Durham (excluding Darlington).
Gambling-related harm can affect every aspect of life, including:
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Relationships and family life
- Financial stability
- Employment and education
- Confidence, self-worth and hope for the future
Many people experiencing gambling harm report feeling isolated, ashamed, overwhelmed, or unable to see a way forward.
Our experienced team provides tailored support to help reduce suicide risk, increase safety, build resilience and connect individuals with the right specialist services. We provide early, responsive and empathetic support, helping individuals find safety and hope when things feel most difficult.
What to expect
Who can access our service?
Individuals Experiencing Gambling-Related Harm
Individuals aged 18+ living in the delivery area who are expreriencing:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Emotional distress
- Self-harm risk
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Crisis factors linked to gambling-related harm
Affected Others
We can support:
- Partners
- Family members
- Friends
- Carers
Aged 18+ and living in the delivery area who are experiencing suicidal thoughts as a result of someone else's gambling.
What We Cannot Provide
Our service is focused on suicide prevention and not designed to provide:
- Specialist gambling treatment
- Psychotherapy
- Acute mental health care
- Immediate crisis intervention where there is an imminent risk to life
- Debt management
- Legal advice
Whilst we do not provide specialist gambling treatment, we work closely with gambling support and treatment providers to ensure people receive the most appropriate help.
Where appropriate, we can provide support alongside referrals specialist gambling treatment pathways, we believe recovery is strengthened when emotional, practical, financial and social needs are addressed together.
Every referral will be considered individually and, where appropriate, we will support people whilest connecting to specialist services through warm referrals.
Make a referral
Our Suicide Prevention Support service is available throughout County Durham (excluding Darlington). Professionals can refer someone to our service by completing the form below.
Crisis messenger
If you are worried about something, talk to trained volunteers with a free, confidential and 24/7 text service. Text IUCS to 85258
