At Well Connections, we believe in the power of lived experience – not just in therapy, but in research and public awareness too. We’re proud to share that one of our practitioners, Eugene Farrar, has recently had his MA research paper published in the OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying (SAGE).
Eugene’s work explores a subject that remains largely under-acknowledged in both clinical and public spaces – the experiences of close relatives bereaved by gambling-related suicide, and the ways in which activism and campaigning can become part of the grieving process.
Groundbreaking Research: Exploring the Impact of Suicide and Activism
Co-authored with Dr Gary Shepherd, Eugene’s paper titled:
“How does involvement in campaigning impact close relatives bereaved by gambling-related suicide?”
The paper draws on in-depth interviews with four individuals who lost a close family member to suicide linked to gambling harm.
Eugene writes powerfully about the courage of those participants, whose honesty and willingness to speak out was not only deeply moving, but – in his words – “a matter of incontrovertible fact” in terms of the lives they have since helped to save.
Some contributors to the study had to be omitted due to the difficulty of fully anonymising their identity – a testament to the public visibility and complex terrain of this issue.
Key themes that emerged from the research include:
- The emotional bond before the suicide – Participants described deep, emotionally connected relationships with their loved one prior to their death. In some cases, they shared the distress of gambling harm firsthand and felt desperate to intervene.
- The role of media engagement – While the media helped amplify their voices, it also presented risks. Some survivors felt exploited or emotionally overwhelmed by public exposure and had to learn how to navigate this new territory with caution.
- The emotional toll of campaigning – Advocacy offered meaning and purpose, but also brought moments of emotional exhaustion and isolation. Participants experienced joy, pride, anger, and sadness as they channelled grief into change.
- Continuing bonds – Perhaps most powerfully, the research highlights how survivors often maintain an ongoing relationship with the person who died. Activism became a way to keep the connection alive – to feel they were “doing it together,” even after death.
“I felt like I was doing something for her and I felt like she was proud of it… It was like something we were doing together.”
— Participant in Farrar & Shepherd, 2025
Rather than “letting go,” Eugene’s study embraces a more compassionate understanding of grief – one that centres continuing bonds, post-traumatic growth, and finding new meaning after unimaginable loss.
“Activism in response to gambling-related suicide can facilitate the growth of the survivor through establishing a healthy continuing bond.”
— Farrar & Shepherd, 2025
Eugene’s Therapeutic Work
Eugene brings the same integrity, empathy, and relational focus from his research into his work as a therapist.
He is a fully qualified Integrative Counsellor (MBACP), based in Harrogate and also working online through Well Connections. His approach combines Person-Centred, Existential and Gestalt models – creating a warm, non-judgemental space where people can explore grief, trauma, and life’s most difficult transitions.
Eugene works with a wide range of issues, including:
- Suicide bereavement and complex grief
- Gambling harm and addiction
- Trauma, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm
- Identity, meaning, and relational repair
In addition to private practice, he has worked in community counselling services and specialist bereavement organisations, supporting those navigating acute and long-term loss.
Why This Work Matters
Gambling harm is often referred to as a “hidden addiction” – with far-reaching impacts on finances, mental health, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. It’s often invisible until crisis point.
One of its most devastating outcomes is suicide – and for the families left behind, the pain can be compounded by stigma, shame, and a lack of tailored support.
Eugene’s research offers rare and important insight into how survivors of gambling-related suicide navigate grief, create meaning, and – in many cases – drive societal change. It reminds us of the importance of listening deeply, honouring experience, and building spaces for recovery that are shaped by compassion and truth.
At Well Connections, we’re honoured to work alongside Eugene and proud to support initiatives that bring hidden stories into the light.
Access Eugene’s Research
- Open-access version (York St John University):
🔗 ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/11353/ - Published article (SAGE):
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/00302228251345846
Support for Gambling Harm, Grief or Suicide Bereavement
If you or someone close to you has been affected by gambling-related harm or suicide, you’re not alone.
We offer:
- Free 20-minute consultation calls
- Access to therapists with lived and professional experience in grief, trauma, and addiction
- Online or in-person therapy with complete confidentiality
📞 Book a free consultation call – https://calendly.com/wellconnections/consultation
📧 info@wellconnections.co.uk
🌐 www.wellconnections.co.uk
Published June 2025
By Well Connections & Eugene Farrar