Trainer Wellbeing Program Announced

Victorian racing officials have joined with mental health organisation beyondblue to launch a program aimed at addressing mental and physical problems faced by trainers.

Pilot workshops for the Wellbeing Program will focus on mental health.

Racing Victoria and the Australian Trainers' Association have engaged beyondblue to run the four workshops next month designed to give trainers, their employees and families the chance to share their experiences and get expert information on mental health.

Well known trainers John Sadler and Lee Freedman will be involved in the pilot program and share their stories.

Earlier this year Sadler publicly revealed he had been battling depression and stepped away from training to receive treatment.

Sadler returned to work earlier this year and later moved his team of horses to Caulfield to train under the Aquanita Racing banner.

The feedback from the sessions in the pilot program will be independently assessed by beyondblue and help form the long-term Trainer Wellbeing Program plan.

The program was announced at Racing Victoria's inaugural Trainer's Open Day at its Flemington headquarters on Monday with more than 100 trainers in attendance.

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, the beyondblue chairman, was a guest speaker at the event.

Kennett believes some working conditions need to be addressed in the industry.

"Over the last few weeks I have been talking to many within the racing industry and while I appreciate the opportunity for beyondblue to work with trainers and their employees, I have come to realise that there are a number of work conditions within the industry that unless addressed will continue to have an adverse effect on those employed within the industry but also potentially change the very nature of the industry," Kennett said.

"I intend to report on my findings and make some recommendations to address these workplace practices in order that we can over time create within the racing industry a mentally healthy workplace."

Mental health professionals are available 24/7 at the beyondblue Support Service on 1300 22 4636 or via www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support for email or online chat (3pm till midnight).