The pilot -developed by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation with assistance from the Gambling Minds team at Alfred Psychiatry and Gambling Harm Service clinical consultant Dr Jane Oakes - was launched in Ballarat on Tuesday morning to coincide with Gambling Harm Awareness Week.

To run for 12-months, professionals at Ballarat Community Health (BCH) will be trained to use the newly developed screening tool - GHA1 (Gambling Harm Assessment 1) - with the pilot to be rolled out with assistance from Ballarat's Gamblers Help provider, Child and Family Services (Cafs).

Buninyong MP, Michaela Settle, said the genesis of the idea came about as a result of her ex-husband having a gambling addiction and through her former role when she worked at BCH.

"One of the big problems with gambling is that it is invisible. If you had a partner with an alcohol or drug problem you would probably be able to recognise it but in my own circumstances, I didn't know."

Through conversations with her former colleague, Deb Greenslade - Research Coordinator and Health Promotion Coordinator at BCH - they identified that while doctors ask questions about how much a person drinks or smokes, there is no universal screening for gambling.

While gambling is often an issue that is not spoken about, it can have serious impacts on individuals and their families.

Ms Greenslade said gambling caused "significant harm" in the Ballarat community, with professionals hearing stories of "great loss, personal hardship and suicide".

Aside from often creating financial challenges causing issues with housing and food security, she said gambling could also influence mental health and result in relationship and family breakdowns.

With gamblers and those around them often feeling guilt, shame and embarrassment due to stigma that can lead to a barrier in reaching out for help, the idea of the pilot is to allow people to reach out for help in a safe environment.

"Gamblers often face stigma - it's the biggest issue. Statistics show that people will more readily admit to a heroin addiction than they will a gambling addiction," Ms Settle said.

She added the screening could be undertaken when a person visits a doctor or allied health professional for another issue and that the visit could provide another opportunity for the person to take the first step to reach out for help - whether it is the gambler themselves or a loved one.

"The important thing about gambling is to encourage people to talk - to anyone, a friend or family - because that's the way you begin the journey.

"This is really about providing another avenue for gamblers to have that initial conversation."

After being trialled in Ballarat, there is potential the model could be expanded to other health services across Victoria.

BCH Chief Executive, Sean Duffy, said healthcare professionals were very good at "assessing people's mental health and physical wellbeing but there are other impacts we need to strengthen our skills and abilities to recognise".

He said the screening tool would involve basic questions of enquiry about gambling when patients are having general health conversations with a GP, allied health professional or nurse.

Similar to what is done in relation to alcohol and other drugs, professionals will ask basic questions that begin a conversation.

"It is a matter of beginning the journey for people. What we talk about in addiction is this notion of people either pre-contemplating - which means they haven't considered to give up - or contemplating - so they're actually contemplating making the change.

"That's what we have to do in terms of this cycle, is move people from that area where they don't think they've got an issue into an area where they are actually seeing the impact and then moving forward and seeking support and help."

Mr Duffy said it was an opportunity for health professionals to increase their skills and knowledge and that it was hoped Ballarat could lead the state in the screening process becoming a regular part of health assessment that is rolled out elsewhere.

"It needs to be part of what we're doing as community health services," he said.

"Like most conditions, it's important that we recognise the impact early - at the right time and the right place so we intervene early."

Anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's gambling is encouraged to call the 24/7 Gambler's Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential advice, support and referral.

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