Black Dog Institute has taken on board 72-year-old Ipswich Dragster legend Steve ‘The Pom’ Read as their latest Sports Partner to drive discussion about mental health in the racing community.
The partnership will encourage racing athletes, organisations and supporters to take a public stance on mental health by spreading awareness and reducing stigma through Black Dog Institute’s research-backed resources.
Research shows that every year one in five people in Australia will experience symptoms of mental illness but 60% will not seek help. Up to 35% of elite athletes suffer from some form of stress, burnout, or depression and anxiety, and 88% would utilise mental health support services if their sporting organisation offered them.
Black Dog Institute’s Director of Funding and Partnerships Karen Elliff feels the partnership is important for awareness and to provide the drag racing community with resources, education and platforms to promote positive mental health conversations.
“We’re so pleased and thankful to Read McCarthy Racing for collaborating with us to expand awareness around the importance of mental health,” Ms Elliff said.
“Funds raised through this partnership will help ensure the continuation of our vital research and the delivery of evidence-based programs throughout the community.
“The partnership with Read McCarthy Racing is a wonderful example of the multi-pronged way organisations can engage with Black Dog Institute and the Sports Partnerships program.”
Black Dog Institute’s Strategic Partnerships Coordinator for Sports and Health Ben Drury says partnering with sporting organisations and athletes like Steve Read for their reach and stature can effectively promote important mental health messaging and fundraising for charities.
“Sporting teams and athletes, especially in Australia, give us hope, inspire us and are role models we can all look up to, but it’s beyond the playing fields, racetracks and courts where sports can be a leader,” Mr Drury said.
“This partnership will work across multiple areas; for example, a dedicated webpage will be created with Black Dog Institute’s research-backed collateral, news articles, digital services and apps for the broader community to access for free.
“Steve Read and the Read McCarthy Racing team will also promote the Black Dog Institute brand on their uniforms and car which is great for awareness with fundraising initiatives planned for later this year.
“Mental health in Australia needs to be better, and that’s our goal at Black Dog Institute. Through world-leading research, we're working to provide better solutions and outcomes for everyone, all through the power of sport.”
Ben Drury adds that the Black Dog Institute’s Online Clinic provides a real impact for starting mental health journeys, and he hopes the partnership will encourage people in the racing community to utilise it.
“The Online Clinic takes you through a range of clinical assessments and questions relating to common mental health conditions which usually takes around 15 minutes,” he said.
“At the end, you will receive a personalised report with suggested support services and free or low-cost resources for you to access based on your answers. This report can be downloaded, printed or emailed to share with your family or doctor to help start the conversation.”
The Black Dog Institute is the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, working closely with people with lived experiences, federal, state and local governments, communities, schools, corporate Australia, philanthropists and others in the mental health sector to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.