Ahead of the opening fixture of the 2020/2021 season, Hereford Racecourse is proud to be working with Worcestershire Health and Care Trust to help raise awareness for mental health support available for people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The ‘Now We’re Talking Raceday’ on Tuesday 13th October is Hereford’s much anticipated season reopener, and will be the first time the racecourse has raced since March 16th when racing ceased because of Coronavirus and lockdown restrictions.
The Worcestershire Health and Care Trust aims to raise awareness of local mental health support across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and Healthy Minds is a self-referral service for local people aged 16+ experiencing common mental health difficulties such as stress, anxiety, low mood or depression.
Rebecca Davies, Executive Director of Hereford & Worcester Racecourses, says: “We are proud to be working with Worcestershire Health and Care Trust on the Now We’re Talking Raceday to raise awareness of the support people can gain if they are suffering from mental health related issues.
“For too long people have suffered in silence around mental health and we hope this partnership will bring information and hope to anyone that may currently be suffering. We, like so many in racing, were saddened by three deaths within our sport earlier this year and anything we can do to raise awareness of the help and support available to people in Herefordshire and beyond is a step in the right direction, and the races alone on the day will all aim at doing this.”
Phill Morgan-Henshaw, Service Manager for Herefordshire & Worcestershire IAPT said: “There are many situations in a person’s life which can lead to stress, anxiety, low mood or depression, and sometimes there are no obvious causes but starting a conversation with someone and seeking help can make a big difference.
“We are delighted to be supporting Hereford Racecourse, mental health problems don’t discriminate, they can and do affect anyone. We have lots of support to offer from self-help materials through to more traditional talking therapies and we’d encourage anyone who is struggling to pick up the phone or complete an online referral form.”
