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Live/Virtual Zoom April Half-Day Training: “Gambling Disorder and The Employee Assistance Professional: Supporting Employees and Protecting Employers with a Comprehensive Public Health Approach”

  • Peer Assistance Serivces - 2nd Floor Training Center 2170 S. Parker Road Denver, CO 80231 (map)

8:00am -8:30am   Breakfast & Networking

8:30am – 12:30pm  Introductions/Presentation

With the unprecedented expansion of online gambling comes a looming mental health crisis. In 2013, gambling disorder was declared an addiction on the same level as heroin, opioids, cocaine, tobacco, and alcohol. The public health, social, and economic implications are enormous. In 2024, people in America lost nearly $100 billion to the gambling industry. Gambling disorder often causes severe and often irreparable harm to people, families, and communities. One of every two people struggling with gambling disorder contemplate suicide, and one in five attempt to kill themselves. We are only just beginning to recognize the potential economic impact on the workforce. The need to create appropriate safeguards for employees and employers is a burgeoning concern. This seminar introduces and focuses on the burgeoning movement to develop a comprehensive public health response 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.    Educate and inform Employee Assistance Professionals and all attendees regarding gambling disorder as an addiction, and the potential risks this presents to individuals, families, and employers

2.    Educate and inform Employee Assistance Professional and all attendees regarding the public health risk related to the workforce and the opportunities to implement strategies to ensure workplace safety, protect employers, and prevent employees from suffering gambling-related harm.

3.    Educate and inform Employee Assistance Professionals and all attendees regarding the potential warning signs, intervention strategies, and treatment options to protect the workforce and safeguard employer integrity from a public health perspective. This will include a discussion of potential ethical considerations, privacy issues and opportunities for employer/employee collaborations from a public health perspective.

4 PDH’s - Domain TBD

Harry Levant, LP.D, MA PCC, ICGC-I, JD

Dr. Harry Levant is Director of Gambling Policy with the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law. He holds a doctorate in law and public policy from Northeastern University where his research focuses on developing a public health approach to prevent gambling-related harm and gambling disorder. He is also an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I) and mental health therapist in private practice and directs the gambling treatment program with Ethos Treatment Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Levant also holds a master’s in professional clinical counseling from La Salle University and a juris doctorate from Temple University School of Law. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Counseling Association, the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota National Honor Society for Counselors, and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Levant is a public health advocate, and he recently testified before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. He also regularly appears on television and radio addressing the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders. His work has recently been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, and the NBC Nightly News. He is the author of the law review commentary “Upon Further Review, the NFL Gambling Strategy is a Risk to Public Health” and co-author with Professor Richard Daynard and Professor Mark Gottlieb of the Boston Globe op-ed article, “Massachusetts Makes a Losing Bet on Gambling.”

Harry is also a gambling addict in recovery, having made his last bet on April 27, 2014. On that day, gambling addiction brought him within seconds of taking his life. Prevention of harm is the best form of treatment. In his role as Director of Gambling Policy at PHAI, Harry is helping to lead the effort to develop a comprehensive public health approach to regulate the gambling industry and prevent public harm.

CONTACT INFO:

Harry Levant, LP.D, MA PCC, ICGC-I, JD

Director of Gambling Policy, Public Health Advocacy Institute

Philadelphia, PA 19129     

Email Address:  Harry@phai.org

Phone:  (267) 386-5252

Website: https://www.harrylevant.com/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Earlier Event: March 14
VIRTUAL Training/Business Meeting: “Left to Their Own Devices: Healthy Device Management & Good Digital Citizenship Skills for Our Clients, Patients, Families, & Selves”