Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 21, 2025 Student Council members attend MASC Conference Special to The Advocate N ortheast Metro Tech Student Council members attended the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (MASC) Annual Conference from Wednesday, March 5 to Friday, March 7 at the Cape Cod Resort & Conference Center in Hyannis. This event brought together student leaders from across the state for workshops, speeches and activities focused on leadership development, community involvement and student government initiatives. During the conference, juniors Torielle Jean-Charles and Sophie Grover (both of Malden) were honored with the MASC Commonwealth Award, recognizing their outstanding leadership, citizenship and dedicaShown in the back row: Advisor Amy Van Magness, Trevor Burt, Torielle Jean-Charles, Dayse Coutinho Ribeiro, Daiane Coutinho Ribeiro, Lara Antonio, Laryssa Artur DaSilva, Matthew Correia and Advisor Justin Fitzgerald; front row: Claudia Martinez, Sophie Grover, Payton Gray, Rosemary Brady, Gabriella Shea, Katherine Ayala Orellana and Mai Zepeda Urbino. (Courtesy photo) tion to their school community. Congratulations to Sophie and Torielle on this well-deserved achievement. Malden student award winners juniors Torielle Jean-Charles and Sophie Grover are all smiles. (Courtesy photo) Mass. Council on Gaming Health and MGC assist hundreds of patrons on Problem Gambling Screening Day T he Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) launched “PGAM Coffee and Conversations,” an initiative designed to raise awareness about problem gambling through informal discussions in casinos. This initiative is aligned with National Problem Gambling Screening Day on March 11 and the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Problem Gambling Awareness Month. According to the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts study summarized in 2024, gambling in the Commonwealth has increased as well as the intensity of monthly gamblers. Recently, GameSense staff conducted screenings at Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino, engaging in over 850 conversations. This proactive approach offers immediate information, resources and support for those struggling with potential gambling issues. During the screening process, 24 individuals were identified as demonstrating signs of gambling disorder. “Initial screenings are essential in serving the approximately 80,000 individuals in the Commonwealth struggling with gambling issues,” said MGC Director of Research and Gaming Mark Vander Linden. “By offering screenings near the gaming floor and online through Live Chat, we can provide assistance earlier in the process, which is known to lead to better outcomes overall.” These efforts are part of a broader, ongoing mission to adapt services and support to meet the Commonwealth’s evolving gambling environment. As new technologies and platforms for gambling emerge, MACGH and MGC are working to ensure that services remain relevant and accessible. “Meeting players where they are is essential. Our GameSense team is trained to recognize that there is a spectrum of gaming behavior. By identifying the signs of problem gambling early, we can empower players to make healthier decisions,” said MACGH CEO Marlene Warner. GameSense is an innovative, player-focused harm mitigation program that encourages players to adopt behaviors that can help limit the risk of developing gambling disorder. This includes setting limits on time and money spent gambling, promoting open conversations with family and friends about gambling habits, and encouraging individuals concerned about their gambling habits to seek help. This program, which is mandated by Massachusetts regulation, requires GameSense staff to be present at all retail casinos in the state. MACGH operates the GameSense program in Massachusetts.
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