Eventers Matthew Wright and Niall Fergusson have produced a video openly discussing mental health issues in aid of 2019’s Time to Talk Day (7 February).
Both riders say they have “suffered badly” from depression in the past and invited their supporters to send in questions about their own mental health concerns.
“We have both been at the point where we considered taking our own life. We can talk very openly about this together now and it helps,” H&H blogger Matt said. “We want to encourage others to speak out too about their own experiences with mental illness, to help others see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
NB: Please wait for the video below to load. If it doesn’t appear, click here to watch
Here is myself and Niall Fergusson's Time to Talk video in support of Time to Change's mental health awareness campaign!! Thank you to our fellow horse folks who were brave enough to send in some personal questions, we know how difficult this was!! Myself and Niall have tried to answer them as openly and honestly as we can, based on our own experiences with depression. Any questions that haven't been answered in this video, we will email you all back personally so you can be reassured that there is always somebody to talk to!! Any numbers you may find useful are also listed at the end of this video. #timetochange #timetotalk #forbettermentalhealth
Posted by Matthew Wright Eventer on Thursday, February 7, 2019
In support of the initiative from Time to Change — an organisation campaigning to end mental health stigma and discrimination — Matt invited members of his Facebook page to email him questions that he and Niall could discuss.
“I thought it was better to discuss our own experiences based on people’s questions as it would lead to a much broader discussion on different subjects,” he said. “We both found it very emotional reading people’s questions, it was a very brave thing for them to do.”
Matt noted that depression has affected many people within the equestrian industry.
“It’s so easy to look normal on the outside, but be dying inside. To other people looking in, they think that person has a great life so they don’t understand the problem or reason behind it and would never suspect anything,” he said.
“I think if more people talk about it, without judging anybody, then more people will feel there’s always somebody to talk to. Together we have to try to reduce suicide rates and tackle mental illness.”
Continues below…
Matthew Wright’s eventing blog: ‘for me failure is not an option, but in this case I was defeated’
Matthew admits that he's had a pretty rubbish past couple of weeks
#GoRacingGreen: how horses have helped tackle mental health issues
Debbie Matthews’ #GoRacingGreen idea to welcome all people to racing and equestrian events has received much support
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
“Nobody should suffer in silence,” he added. “We want to encourage other riders to speak out about their own insecurities, confidence issues or any other battles they’ve had and how they’ve overcome it. If we make something seem normal, it will make people feel much more secure in talking about it.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
