The Diversity in Health Conference will explore culturally inclusive ways to treat gambling problems.

The conference includes a specialist Problem Gambling stream, chaired by Mary Gavranic of the Multicultural Gambler's Help Program.

As Mary explains: "In Australia, our approach to solving problems such as gambling involves formal counselling. In some cultures, however, there is no equivalent concept or word for ‘counselling’ and the methods we use can alienate or exclude potential clients.

"For example, our understanding of counselling involves speaking to an impartial stranger with qualifications, in an anonymous and clinical setting. With some clients, the notion of disclosing your most personal problems to a stranger may be horrifying."

The way in which we access services is also an issue. "Mainstream service models expect people to approach and use services on their own,” says Mary. “In many cultures, however, help seeking would be facilitated through the family or the wider community."

The conference will include a keynote panel on culturally responsive treatment services. Using examples from Australia and overseas, gambling experts will address:

• ways to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers to service access
• the impact of migration and settlement as risk factors
• alternative models of service delivery