HISA, Jockeys' Guild to provide free mental-health services to riders

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Jockeys’ Guild have reached an agreement that will provide free mental-health services to riders, the two organizations announced on Thursday.

Onrise, a company that specializes in providing mental-health services to athletes, will give riders access to a confidential platform that can connect the jockeys “to reliable mental health support and guidance, helping to reduce the stigma of seeking help and fostering a culture of open-ness and care within the sport.”

Mental-health issues among U.S. riders came to the fore last year when two young jockeys committed suicide within six weeks of each other. Both had been sidelined by injuries and other problems at the time of their deaths.

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Many riders have said that they feel pressure to resist seeking mental-health care because of intense competition among riders and the risk of losing rides from trainers and owners.

Onrise said that a number of its therapists are “trained retired athletes,” along with other licensed therapists and psychiatrists. The company currently provides its services to 15,000 athletes, the company said.

“Through this collaboration, we are offering our qualifying members the opportunity to connect with athletic peers who truly recognize what they’re going through, helping them take care of their health in a way that has never been done before in our sport,” said Terry Meyocks, the chief executive officer of the Jockeys’ Guild.

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