Peer Phone
The Peer Phone provides short-term peer support and guidance for people affected by gambling harms. The service is for both people who gamble and people affected by someone else’s gambling.
A peer support call can help you:
- clarify your situation
- talk about difficult thoughts and feelings
- consider what kind of change you want
- find practical next steps
- strengthen hope and confidence in your ability to improve your situation
Peer mentors have personal experience of gambling problems and recovery, or living close to someone who gambles. They can offer information, encouragement and peer-based insight into what change may involve.
Support calls are available in English, Estonian and German.
Book a Call
You can book one to three calls with the same peer mentor. Each call lasts approximately one hour.
When booking, you can choose the peer mentor you would like to talk with. You can also read about each mentor’s background.
Please note that the booking page is available only in Finnish.
I spoke on the phone a couple of times with a former gambler who had recovered to discuss a loved one’s gambling problem. It was eye-opening to hear the player’s perspective and experiences on the subject. Talking about it made me feel better.
Respect the volunteer’s time – answer the call or cancel your booking if necessary
Peer mentors support others in their own free time. Please answer the call at the agreed time or cancel your booking well in advance if your plans change.
Please book a call only for yourself, not on behalf of someone else.
Meet The Peer Mentors
You can read about the backgrounds of the peer mentors in the drop-down menus.
Note: On the booking page, you can choose the peer mentor who is right for you and with whom you’d like to talk.
Peer Mentors
English
Henri ~35 years old
I’m a man who enjoys music, the outdoors, and the gym, and I like to reflect on things and phenomena from different perspectives. When I was younger, I played team sports at a competitive level. My gambling history began in my youth with arcade machines at the grocery store and sports betting. As an adult, my gambling shifted to online casino slots. I have experience with numerous attempts to quit gambling, debt, problems with relationships and partnerships, lying, shame, and anxiety. I’d be happy to discuss your personal situation with you—such as tools for managing your finances, relationships, your emotional life, and your dreams and goals for the future. I’m happy to share my own experiences, and together we can brainstorm and explore, in confidence, how you can move in a better direction in your own situation.
Olli ~ 40 years old
I have a long history of gambling. I mainly bet on sports and, to a lesser extent, played online casinos and slot games.
Here are some topics I have personal experience with: debt, challenges in relationships with family members and friends, difficulties in romantic relationships, loss of self-worth, shame, and financial recovery. I’m happy to talk about these topics with both gamblers and their loved ones.
With a small twinkle in my eye, I enjoy reflecting together on the meaning of things.
Timo ~ 65 years old
I have overcome a severe gambling addiction and have worked as a peer supporter since 2022. In addition to peer support phone calls, I have facilitated groups and worked as a support person. I played poker and slot games at online casinos.
If you wish, I can tell you how I personally overcame my gambling addiction. It worked for me — why wouldn’t it work for you too? So don’t worry alone; book a call with confidence, and let’s start working through the problem together.
Estonian
Liana, umbes 40-aastane
Hasartmängud võtsid minult kunagi kogu mu aja, raha ja peaaegu ka kodu. Mängisin peamiselt online-kasiinodes mänguautomaate. Mängimise tagajärjel langesin depressiooni ja kaotasin elurõõmu.
Räägin meeleldi sinuga mängimise põhjustest, hetkeemotsioonidest ning sellest, kuidas hakata looma mänguvaba igapäevaelu.
German
Timo, ein etwa 65-jähriger
Ich bin ein Mann, der eine schwere Glücksspielsucht überwunden hat und seit 2022 als Peer-Supporter tätig ist. Neben dem Peer-Telefon habe ich auch Gruppen geleitet und als Unterstützungsperson gearbeitet. Ich habe Poker und Slots in Online-Casinos gespielt.
Auf Wunsch erzähle ich dir, wie ich meine Glücksspielsucht selbst überwunden habe. Es ist mir gelungen – warum sollte es dir nicht auch gelingen? Mach dir also keine Sorgen allein, sondern buche mutig ein Gespräch, und wir beginnen gemeinsam, das Problem anzugehen
A Call Tailored to Your Needs
During a peer support call, you can discuss the issues that matter most to you.
Calls with people who gamble often focus on conflicting thoughts and feelings about gambling, stopping gambling, preventing relapse and building a gambling-free life.
Calls with affected others often focus on supporting a loved one, setting boundaries, protecting one’s own wellbeing, managing stress and improving communication.
Questions related to relationships, money, debt and support can be discussed in both types of calls.
If you would like a family member or someone close to you to join the call, please mention this when booking.
If you are having suicidal thoughts or need immediate help, call the general emergency number 112. You can also book remote crisis counselling with Mieli ry. More information is available here.
Any questions? Please contact us.
Petri Kauhanen
Coordinator
petri.kauhanen@sosped.fi | 040 055 0101
Available weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM