Early identification and treatment of suicidal thinking is essential in preventing suicides. In California, problem gamblers can receive no-cost treatment through CalGETS.
Of the 879 problem gamblers entering outpatient treatment in Fiscal Year 2016-17, 20% reported suicidal thoughts in the past week. By contrast, a recent survey of adults in California found that less than 2% reported suicidal thoughts in the past year.
Sources – Outpatient Gamblers: CalGETS Fiscal Year 2016-17 dataset, prepared for the California Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling by the University of California Los Angeles Gambling Studies Program. CalGETS treatment participants were asked: “Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by thinking that you would be better off dead or that you want to hurt yourself in some way?” CA Suicidal Ideation: Grant D, Caldwell J, Padilla-Frausto DI, Aydin M, Aguilar-Gaxiola S. More Than Half a Million California Adults Seriously Thought About Suicide in the Past Year. Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2012.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)