Racing Welfare knows that mental ill health affects many people in different ways and sadly sometimes people struggle to ask for help. There is a stigma about mental health and sadly this all too often stops people from asking for help or seeking support. Our Welfare Officers are non judgemental and experienced in helping individuals gain the support they need and some even have personal experience. They also work within a
code of confidentiality.
Talking to someone is the first step; this can range from just sharing your anxieties over a cuppa with a friend, or engaging with the vast array of appropriate agencies with the support of your local Welfare Officer. If you bottle it up you could find yourself using unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking, drugs or self harming and this will only in the long rum make you feel worse.
As a young person joining the industry you may find yourself away from home for the first time surrounded by people of all ages and cultures and feeling like a real fish out of water. It is hard to mix with people that you don’t know so you may decide to just stay in your room and isolate yourself, this could lead to you feeling alone and anxious. Sometimes just knowing that if you’re worried about anything there are lots of people you can share you thoughts and concerns with, this could be your Head Lad/Lass, NVQ Assessor, Trainer or Welfare Officer. The secret is speak to someone.
Depression, for example, affects all people of all ages and backgrounds, Winston Churchill named his constant bouts of depression as his Black Dog. People are often ashamed and feel they have failed if they ask for help and worried what other people may think. Depression and mental ill health happens to many many people, at different times in our lives and can be due to a range of things from traumas, illness, injury, addiction and bereavement. For example bereavement can affect people a long time after the loss has occurred and people struggle on thinking that one day they’ll feel better and sometimes this happens but sometimes we bottle it up for so long that it finally hits us hard and we bury our head in the sand – talk to someone. That someone could be a partner or friend, your GP or a Welfare Officer. Just admitting you need help can be an amazing relief and bring a greater understanding, knowing that you’re not alone.
Racing Welfare has its own dedicated 24hr Helpline Tel 0800 6300 443 or you can contact us in person, by
email or by letter.
