Racing Mates is inviting racing participants to recognise Mental Health Month October in New South Wales and to “start the conversation” at the next BBQ ‘Get-Together’ at the Hawkesbury Race Club on Thursday 10th October.
Hawkesbury Race Club will join Racing Mates in hosting the event which aims to bring participants together for a chat and a bite.
This year’s Mental Health Month Awareness theme “Let’s Talk About It” prompts us all to reflect on our mental health and overall wellbeing, irrespective of whether we’ve personally encountered mental illness.
It emphasises the significance of maintaining good mental health in our daily lives and encourages a proactive approach to seeking help when necessary.
“Racing Mates gatherings are all about bringing participants together and encouraging open discussions and providing them with assistance,” said Racing Mates ambassador, Pat Webster.
“We’ve had some really good gatherings and our Racing Mates program has been boosted recently with the additions of Grant Buckley and Leonie Ferreira to our Ambassador program with their knowledge and experience being an incredibly valuable asset to the racing industry.
“Our ambassadors are a point of contact to those requiring support and we have professional counsellors and psychologists available where required.
“We are very excited and fortunate that Hawkesbury Race Club is putting their hand up to host this event.”
Racing Mates is a peer support initiative established by Racing NSW, empowering mates to look out for mates.
Research has found that effective support offered from peers and colleagues can aid significantly in coping with stress and difficult situations.
“Our BBQ gatherings are all about bringing the racing community together for a chat which has proven to be very effective with past events held,” Webster said.
“There is nothing better than talking to someone who understands where you’re coming from.”
The BBQ will be held for participants from 11.30am in the raceday stalls area of Hawkesbury Race Club prior to the raceday.
For further information please contact Pat Webster on 0418 644 955.
Further information about Racing Mates and its Ambassadors can be found online at Racing Mates