Gambling with Mental Health
A Talk with Dr Matt Gaskell
In association with Isle Listen and Motiv8
Friday 22nd May 2026
at The Comis Hotel
About Dr Matt Gaskell
MBE BSc MSc PG Dip DPsych C.Psychol AFBPsS
Matt is an international expert in gambling disorder, and the founder and clinical lead of six regional gambling addiction clinics for the National Health Service across the north of England. He is a Consultant Psychologist, with twenty-five years’ experience in the assessment and treatment of addictive behaviour. He provides evidence, advice and expertise to the government on matters relating to gambling policy and treatment. He lectures in gambling addiction at five universities at doctorate level, and he was the lead advisor for the National Clinical Guidelines for Harmful Gambling (i.e. NICE Guidelines). He is a member of the network of experts on gambling for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and a member of The International Think Tank on Gambling Research, Policy and Practice.
What to expect
Dr Gaskell will discuss:
• The nature of gambling policy and regulation
• Gambling products and commercial practices
• Gambling disorder & what it’s like
• The effect on the brain and choice
• Harms associated with gambling
• What should we do? A public health approach vs ‘responsible gambling’
How your support helps our local community
Entry to this event is free, though donations are warmly welcomed, and will be split between Isle Listen and Motiv8.
Donations support Isle Listen’s important Mental Health Education Programme: Equipping the next generation with resilience and essential mental health skills.
Isle Listen’s charitable work focuses on a preventative Mental Health Education Programme for young people on the Isle of Man. This programme reaches over 10,000 children and young people annually, engaging with all the Island’s schools & UCM. The aim of this preventative work is to reduce the number of young people requiring therapeutic support in future, by teaching coping skills and resilience. We are finding that young people currently accessing 1-1 support via the Talk service, run by Isle Listen and commissioned by Manx Care, are presenting with greater emotional literacy and knowledge of coping mechanisms, enabling a more productive and positive therapeutic experience.
Isle Listen is a registered trading name of MCH Psychological Services which is a registered charity in the Isle of Man Number 1024.
Donations support Motiv8’s specialist services: ensuring individuals and families are supported and empowered to reduce the harm from alcohol, substance misuse, gambling and gaming.
At Motiv8, our dedicated team of professional counsellors, support workers, workers by experience and peer mentors have helped thousands of people live a life free from dependency. Our specialist services include gambling, alcohol and drug use, families, and work for the criminal justice system.
Our Vision: An island, free from the stigma and harm associated with alcohol, substance misuse, gambling and gaming.
Our Mission: To provide a service where individuals and families are supported and empowered to reduce the harm from alcohol, substance misuse, gambling and gaming. We achieve this through early intervention, counselling, community services, education , research, treatment and rehabilitation.
Registered Charity Number 275