SARGF Joins SAACDHE to Promote Gambling Harm Reduction in Southern African Higher Education
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) recently participated in the 2026 SAACDHE Conference, aiming to integrate gambling harm reduction into the broader higher education wellbeing agenda.
The Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education (SAACDHE), an organization representing counselling and development service providers across 30 member institutions and 180 individual members, is guided by principles of human dignity, diversity, and ethical care. SAACDHE aims to promote holistic student development and uphold high standards across campus support centres.
The conference was held at the Capital Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha. Under the overarching theme “Rooted Currents – Student Healing, Growth, and Belonging in Southern African Higher Education,” it brought together mental healthcare professionals committed to strengthening student wellbeing, counselling, and support within a rapidly changing higher education landscape.
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SAACDHE’s commitment to student development is grounded in a proactive network that facilitates continuous professional growth, research, and collaborative knowledge-sharing. While institutional frameworks provide essential psychological infrastructure, modern pressures necessitate addressing specific behavioural risks that impact student stability.
As student mental health needs evolve, addressing holistic wellbeing requires expanding traditional campus support to incorporate emerging challenges, most notably the growing threat of gambling harm.
SARGF advocates for a public health approach within higher education, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and accessible support systems to prevent gambling behavior from escalating into severe psychological or financial distress.
