Education Programs for Young Adults

Check Your (Re)flex – a problem gambling awareness program happening at colleges and universities throughout Ontario.

STAY SAFE

With social distancing guidelines in place and the majority of post-secondary classes being delivered online, in-person delivery of the Check Your (Re)flex program has been cancelled for the 2020-2021 academic school year.

As we spend more time at home, it’s important to recognize signs of a gambling problem and take precautions against the risks of online gambling.

Play the CheckYourReflex game online to learn more and enter the scholarship award contest.

Check Your (Re)flex

Check Your (Re)flex is a specially-designed problem gambling awareness program to educate young adults.

Available in English and French, Check Your (Re)flex is an interactive game delivered  by trained representatives and visits post-secondary institutions and community events across Ontario. Young people are invited to play a video game with three levels, a music and countdown clock to set the pace of play. As players move through the games, the pace speeds up and each one becomes more difficult. Participants’ reactions are measured based on their galvanic skin response (change in sweat glands) via the joystick.

At the end of the game, participants receive a summary of their results, and are given an opportunity to enter a contest. Those who may not have an opportunity to play at the kiosk are given two other options to participate. They can take a picture of the QR code located at the display and play the games on their mobile phones, or they can choose to play online. While these options won’t measure their galvanic skin response, information about how playing games – and gambling – can trigger a heightened emotional state, making it difficult to make decisions about your play is provided. Before leaving the display, each person receives an information card and a small giveaway.

Check Your (Re)flex delivers these key messages

  • Dispels myths associated with gambling
  • Highlights signs of problem gambling
  • Shares problem gambling services; and
  • Suggests ways to keep gambling safer

Safe gambling tips to remember and share

  • Use and stick to pre-set time and money limits
  • Prioritize responsibilities like classes or work, over gambling
  • Be aware of signs of a problem like lying about money or time spent, skipping class or work to gamble, withdrawing from friends and family, and negative effects to mental or physical health
  • Use money set aside for entertainment and spend time doing other activities

Prevention programs for young adults

If you’re a student or young adult, interested in learning more about responsible gambling, attend an education program.

Education Programs for Young Adults

Tips for safer gambling

Learn strategies for playing safe and reducing potential harms.

Safer Gambling Tips

Get help for a gambling problem

There’s a treatment centre ready, willing and able to help you.

Find Local Help

Take the Self-Assessment Quiz

Find out how your gambling habits measure up.

Take the Self-Assessment Quiz now