Equipping School Psychologists to Address Another Risky Behavior

Abstract

School psychologists are assuming an increasingly important role in ensuring youth have the mental and emotional health to succeed academically. Although considerable attention has been paid to a number of adolescent high-risk behaviors including drug and alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and sexually transmitted diseases, little attention has been paid to youth gambling behaviors. Youth problem gambling has been largely overlooked as a mental and public health issue although it can result in serious mental heath consequences and impede students’ academic success. The current state of knowledge regarding adolescent gambling is presented. Prevention and intervention initiatives that are accessible to school psychologists are outlined, and the challenges to school psychologists in implementing youth problem gambling prevention programs are discussed.