Art-making, mutual Support and partnership Peer support program for CALD women affected by gambling related harm Yue Gao Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) Bic Gresty Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association
Who we are Who are we? A national voice for immigrant and refugee women’s health and wellbeing
What do we do? Who are we? • Health Education Programs (Industry visits, community workshops, Multilingual Library) • Training and Evaluation (Accredited Course, Bilingual Health Educator Training, Cultural literacy) • Research and Advocacy (International Students, FGM/C, The WRAP, Policy submissions) • Nationally (National MWHA network)
The GAP Project • Funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF) • Raise awareness about gambling related harm • Bridge the gap between service available and the community members in need • Community education & peer support& Resource developing and collating • Among women from migrant and refugee background across Victoria • For more information, please visit the GAP project webpage http://www.mcwh.com.au/responsible-gambling-project.php
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Literature • The provision of emotional, appraisal and information support from people who have experiential knowledge of a condition; • Non-hierarchical and reciprocal relationship; • Flexible supplement to formal health service; • Empower and influence the quality of life for cancer patients
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Gambling in Migrant Communities • The rate of problem gambling is around five times greater than in the wider community • Not well represented in gambling support services and usually lack adequate help and support services
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Reasons • Migration experience : Trauma, intersectional issues such as language, employment, structural inequality, visa • Cultural belief : culturally specific perceptions on gambling and gambler, stigma • Barrier to access service : language, unaware of the service available, shame and stigma
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Question • How can the peer support be run among 1) people affected by gambling related harm 2) women from immigrant and refugee backgrounds • In what ways it might work for them
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Brief intro • Aim: try to reduce the harm and stigma around problem gambling • Communities involved: Piloted in Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic community • Participants: Women directly affected by gambling related harm
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Recruitment • Recruit through various channels: education sessions (Arabic community), through partner organisation: e.g., the Vietnamese group (16 women aged between 30-70), flyers and radio talks
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Structure • Run for consecutive 5-10 weeks, 60-90 mins per session • Brief introduction – Art activities – Story sharing – Discussion - Debrief • Topics including Perception on Gambling, Triggers, Journey of Recovery and Hope, Gambling Related Harm and Support Services • Tailored to suit the specific needs of the group
The Peer Support Program (PSP) What’s unique: Flexibility • Time and number of sessions • Group rules • Topics and structures • Choices of the art activities
The Peer Support Program (PSP) What’s unique: Art Activity • Tailored and culturally appropriate • Flexible • Therapeutic and trust building • Facilitated by an art therapist
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Issues • Time and venue • Members’ participation and contribution to the group • Integration of art activities into the sessions
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Outcomes • Connection and trust are built • Social isolation is reasonably reduced • “I join the group because I want to share. Awareness and knowledge are Before (coming to the group), I felt really increased heavy in my chest. But sharing makes me feel relief”. • Feeling empowered and hopeful – Vietnamese PSP participant
The Peer Support Program (PSP) Suggestion for future program: Flexibilities • Program design & implementation • Group rules • Incorporating art activities: Types and the roles of the facilitators • Follow up and ongoing support
The Peer Support Program (PSP) How It Works in the Vietnamese Community by Bic Gresty
Q & A
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