The various elements of Irish horse racing have come together to promote a new joint welfare initiative to ensure people in need have access to vital helpline numbers and information when faced with personal pressures and challenging circumstances.
The ‘Reach Out’ initiative has the support of the principal industry organizations including the Racehorse Trainers Association, Stable Staff Association, ITBA, RACE, the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland.
Thousands of convenient wallet-sized cards have been printed and will be distributed free via the various organisations. This will be backed up by an awareness campaign which will seek to get the message out to people working in the racing industry.
Each card contains a list of vital helpline numbers across a range of support services covering financial difficulties, emotional support, mental health issues, literacy, addictions, relationships etc. It is hoped that having the information to hand will encourage people to make a call and seek help for themselves or those close to them when the need arises.
Welfare and mental health issues have been prominent within sport in recent months with the Gaelic Players Association and IRUPA both placing an emphasis on the need to provide support for sporting participants faced with personal problems.
The British media was swamped over the weekend with stories of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne who was in court to face charges arising out of his behaviour when allegedly drunk on a train.
Sport can play an important role in bringing mental health issues into the open in a way that encourages young men in particular to seek help that they might not otherwise feel comfortable in doing.
Sports Tourism Seminar at Croke Park (September 19th)
Sport for Business 20/20 at Ulster Bank HQ (October 8th)
The Business of Youth Sport Seminar (November 28th)
