This presentation examines how political polarization critically shapes gambling harm by eroding trust in mental health services and deepening cultural divides around help-seeking. The session highlights how polarization-driven resistance to care differentially affects communities of color, politically diverse and religious communities, neurodiverse individuals, and older adults. We emphasize shame as a central driver of secrecy, impulsiveness, and treatment avoidance. We also explore how rapid online gambling formats accelerate risk and intensify shame, delaying treatment. Participants will learn hands-on communication skills and intervention strategies that can be immediately applied to bridge political divides, build trust across differences, and reach underserved populations.
