British Grooms Association Launches ‘Grooms Minds Online’ Resource
In light of World Mental Health Day (10 October 2018), the British Grooms Association (BGA) have launched ‘Grooms Minds Online’.
The online resource has eight areas to support the mental health of grooms including, a mental well-being checker, self-help zone, video scripts, real-life stories and how to get additional support.
The development of the resource comes in response to a survey the BGA issued last year. The survey revealed that over 70% of grooms have been bullied within the workplace, either by their employer or a fellow worker, and 83% of grooms are currently suffering from stress and/or mental well-being problems.
The BGA recognises the mental health resource as an ‘invaluable’ and ‘life-changing’ development for many grooms. They aim to spread the strong message; “You are not alone”.
Grooms Minds Online has been developed with the aid of mental health in the workplace. Consultants like Sylvia Bruce commented;
Grooms Minds is vitally important because it promotes the principle of talking mental health matters and encourages members’ mental health awareness and confidence.
In addition it will enhance the profession, industry brand and reputation; aspiring to create more empathic, compassionate and supportive working environments thus attracting, engaging and retaining the best talent – surely a win/win for everyone involved.”
The new web-space follows the BGA’s launch of the Groom’s Minds Support, in May 2018 – a telephone help-line for BGA members, supported by Racing Welfare. The help-line offers a 24/7 service for those in need, providing trained support.
The Grooms Minds Online project has also been supported by governing bodies such as British Dressage, British Showjumping, British Eventing, the British Horse Society, World Horse Welfare and the Pony Club. Support across the equestrian community has helped to highlight the importance of speaking out about mental health, at all levels of the industry.
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