Research confirms harmful mental effects of gambling among youth — Mental Health Officer

The Kassena-Nankana Municipal Mental Health Coordinator, James Abagna, has raised concerns about the harmful effects of gambling, particularly sports and other forms of betting, on young people in society.

According to him, research has shown that excessive betting among the youth is increasingly exposing many of them to mental health challenges and substance abuse.

Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 21, Abagna referenced findings from a 2024 study conducted by Manu et al., titled “Betting High, Feeling Low,” which highlights the negative impact of excessive gambling on young people in Ghana.

He explained that the research, which involved more than 400 young people, revealed alarming statistics. According to the study, 84 percent of respondents exhibited problematic gambling behaviour, 48 percent experienced psychological distress, 68.8 percent suffered anxiety, 31.1 percent experienced stress while 43.6 percent showed signs of depression.

The study also found that many of the respondents were engaged in substance abuse.

“This shows how serious the problem is in Ghana and how it is affecting the mental health of the youth,” he stated.

Abagna attributed the growing attraction to betting to factors such as the desire to get rich quickly, unemployment, peer pressure, and the influence of social media.

He cautioned young people to be mindful of the risk of addiction and advised them to take steps to withdraw when they notice they are becoming overly involved in gambling activities.

“At a point, when you try to stop and you cannot stop, then you are moving into the stage of addiction,” he warned.

He further encouraged individuals struggling with gambling addiction to seek professional help early in order to avoid further psychological and social harm.

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