Our Family support and intervention Lead, Nicola Jaques opened up on her personal experience and the importance of raising awareness of gambling harm as she joined Breakeven chief executive Ian Semel for an in-depth chat on the Breakeven podcast.
During the half hour episode, the pair looked at the often life changing issues for those impacted by gambling harms through someone else’s gambling.
Mum of two Nicola, spoke candidly about the breakdown in her marriage, the loss of the family home and the emotional turmoil experienced by the wider family as they came to term’s with her ex-partner’s gambling addiction.
It is hoped the new podcast series hosted by National Gambling Support Network partner Breakeven will help reach those who may be struggling in their own lives and encourage more people to step forward for their own support
At Beacon Counselling Trust affected others can have access to free therapeutic support and an aftercare service offering one to one sessions to address some of the practical challenges of gambling harms.
Nicola said: “As a service we recognise the wider and often complex issues families are left facing as a result of gambling harms. I can relate to the stigma our family members feel as I experienced that too.
“We take holistic approach and where those practical issues are impacting a person’s health and wellbeing hope by offering support for that too, we can improve outcomes for the whole family when impacted by harms.
“With alcohol and substance abuse, people are more aware of the harm and who is at risk. So speaking with Ian on the podcast, promoting our work, it’s an opportunity to say ‘let’s have more conversations about gambling and some of the unspoken harms’
She added: “My story’s not isolated in any shape or form.
“Our message to anyone struggling or worried about their loved ones is that you are not alone.”
Anyone wanting to get help or support for themselves or another, please contact us on 0151 226 0696
Click below to listen to the episode: