Racing Welfare is bringing the horseracing industry together in support of Mental Health Awareness Week, running from 14th – 20th May 2018.
Racing Welfare hope to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, promote the importance of good mental health and encourage open discussions on the subject across the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a national campaign run by the Mental Health Foundation. Racing staff across the country will be showing their support by wearing green ribbons when they lead up on the various racedays occurring throughout the week. The initiative has received industry-wide backing from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company (ARC) alongside independent racecourses who are all helping to promote the initiative. Racing Welfare has also received the support of the National Trainers Federation (NTF) and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) to sponsor a Mental Health Training Day in Lambourn on 30th May 2018, with another scheduled in Malton, North Yorkshire on 27th May.
Alongside Racing Welfare's racecourse activity they will be having a strong staff presence throughout the week at various racecourses. Racing Welfare will also be shedding light on a number of topics relating to mental wellbeing via our social media channels.
Research shows that two-thirds of us will experience mental ill-health of varying typesat some point in our lives and the severity and impact of the issue, plus a person’s ability to cope with it, can fluctuate on a daily, weekly or yearly basis. By proactively engaging racing staff with the campaign, we hope to ensure that all those working within the industry know that Racing Welfare has a range of support services available should they or someone they know be struggling with their mental health.
Anyone looking for advice can access this via Racing Welfare’s 24hr support line on 0800 6300 443. The service is completely free and confidential.