IRIS is an independent information portal focused on gambling and mental health: emotional support and helplines available to people in the UK. We write guides for anyone looking for clarity on where help exists, how different services work, and what steps can make a difference when gambling has become a problem.
What this site covers
Our articles answer the questions people ask when they search for help: what GamCare offers, how self-exclusion works, what happens in a counselling session, how to recognise a relapse before it deepens. Each guide explains one service, tool or concept in plain language, with contact details and links to the organisations that provide direct support. We link to articles like what GamCare offers and how to reach the National Gambling Helpline where they fit the question.
Who the site is for
You might be someone who has started to worry about your own gambling. You might be a partner, parent or friend who has noticed a change and wants to understand what help exists. You might have tried to stop before, or be looking for the first time. Whatever brought you here, the guides are written for the moment you need an answer without jargon or delay.
How a guide is made
We begin with what people are searching for. Each article addresses one question, checked against public sources published by help organisations, regulators and treatment providers. We write in everyday language, explain specialist terms where they appear, and update the text when contact details or services change. No guide assumes prior knowledge, and none asks you to take our word without a link to the organisation we are describing.
What the site does not do
We do not offer personal advice, diagnoses or treatment. We do not sell goods, services or memberships. We do not rank help organisations or suggest one is better than another; the choice of where to turn depends on what feels right for you. Our role is to set out what exists and how it works, so you can make an informed decision about the next step.
How to reach us
If you have a question about the subject, have spotted something that needs correcting, or want to suggest a topic we have not covered, write to us at [email protected]. We reply within 48 hours. We cannot provide personal advice or answer questions about individual circumstances, but we welcome feedback on the guides themselves.
This is an information site. We do not sell any goods or services. Gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If you need help, BeGambleAware (BeGambleAware.org) offers free, confidential support.