Cultural Communities Symposium

on Problem Gambling and Mental Health

Saturday, March 25, 2023 • 8:00am to 2:00pm
Wilder Center Auditorium, St. Paul, MN
Registration is now closed.
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling is hosting “Cultural Communities Symposium on Problem Gambling and Mental Health” with our local BIPOC community partners. We cordially invite you to join us to learn more about problem gambling and ways in which parents and trusted adults can engage in conversations with youth to prevent gambling and gaming addiction. It’s an opportunity to hear from community leaders about the work they are doing within their respective communities to expand awareness to the issue and learn about available resources.

We’ll enjoy a lunch together and wrap up the day by listening to participants’ feedback from the morning sessions; what additional concerns and questions must still be addressed in the future. What are desired next steps? How can we work together to achieve at all levels of problem gambling work – prevention, intervention and treatment?

Wilder Center Auditorium
451 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul
Free parking is available
Find directions here

Hội nghị về Văn hóa Cộng đồng

文化社区研讨会

Hmong Version

Lao Version

Khmer Version

Sponsored by

Agenda

8:00 am
Doors open coffee, tea, light refreshments. Visit resource tables.

8:30 -8:45 am
Welcome/Introductions

8:45-9:45 am
Mental Health/Coping Mechanisms and Gambling Addiction

Dr. Timothy Fong, Professor of Psychiatry, Director, UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Consultation Service, Co-Director, UCLA Gambling Studies Program

Dr. Fong will address how/why a person might develop a problem with their gambling behavior. What are the mental health reasons behind problematic behavior and how can someone make healthy decisions in response to dealing with stressful life experiences. Presenter will also cover the basics of gambling addiction and the overlap with other addictions and mental health.

10:00-11:00 am
Improve Communication between Parents and Youth About Problem Gambling/Gaming
Sam Vitiello, Director of Recovery Services, Wilder Community Mental Health & Wellness Clinic.

Family counselor will provide information about youth brain development as it relates to gaming and gambling. Practical tips on how to communicate with children regarding their behaviors with gaming and gambling.

11:00 -11:15 am
Break

11:15 -12:30 pm
Problem Gambling Awareness Work of Cultural Communities 

Dr. Richard Oni, Progressive Individual Resources as facilitator, with panelists Ange Hwang, Asia Media Access; Lucas Patterson, Neighborhood Youth Academy; Sunny Chanthavong, Minnesota Lao Center; Brian Herder, Russell Herder

Brief presentations depicting the community engagement effort from the local BIPOC communities, as well as the state-wide social media campaign by Russell Herder. Each will share aspects of the work they’ve been creating and implementing to increase community awareness of problem gambling and addiction issues.

12:30-1:15 pm
Buffet Lunch and Table Discussion

During lunch, participants will be able to have discussions about the presentations. This will also be a time to talk about additional questions and concerns they have that haven’t been addressed.

1:15-2:00 pm
Discussion Highlights and Wrap-up

We’ll wrap up the day by listening to participants’ feedback from the morning sessions; what additional concerns and questions must still be addressed in the future. What are desired next steps? How can we work together to achieve at all levels of problem gambling work – prevention, intervention and treatment?