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Wellbeing in motorsport
spinning off in a race, I can’ t really help because they can look at that themselves; but it’ s the more serious side that we want to tap into.
“ There are so many different ways people can respond to the pressures of motorsport – trauma, personal loss, anxiety, stress, depression – and everyone is different in their own situation, so it’ s not limited. We will look at everything and whatever we can do in our power, we’ re going to help you.
“ There are professional people and businesses that specialise in every area, so once we talk in confidence, we put people in touch with the right person. We’ re not going to put you on the shelf and leave you there, we’ re going to act upon it immediately. There’ s no limitation, it’ s just a case of having the confidence and bravery to pick up the phone and talk.”
Motorsport is a team game, which is one of the advantages it has over other sports when it comes to mental health. Whether you are a group of mechanics in the pits, officials in race control or marshals out on the bank, keeping your eyes out for signs of a problem could be one of the most important things you do.
The spotlight on mental health is growing both in society and in the workplace. In F1, for instance, individuals are specifically employed to manage the health and wellbeing of all the team members. At other levels people need to look out for each other.
“ We’ re all one team and you get to feel, see and hear how people work,” says Watts.“ Even just being in and around the paddock, which is what I do every weekend, you can tell from the way someone speaks, the body language, the narrative you pick up, when something is wrong. I’ ve learned that from psychology, but also through my own personal experience.
“ You ask if they’ re alright and they’ ll say‘ yeah, yeah, I’ m
Founded in 2000, the BRDC Motor Sport Charity exists to support nembers and people involved in the motor sport industry in times of need. fine’ but really, are they okay? If they hesitate, you know immediately something’ s up. You’ re never going to force someone to talk, but you just want to reiterate the fact that, look, if you want to chat, if you want to talk and go for a coffee, anytime you want, it’ s not a problem.”
The importance of tackling issues before they get out of control is something of which Watts is all too acutely aware. However, having recently visited a US conference on mental health in elite sports, he has recognised that it is an inherently British nature to bury the problem, rather than bring it out in the open. It is now his biggest mission to turn that around.
“ In America, people tend to speak up a lot faster,” he says.“ As soon as they start feeling something, they nip it in the bud, and they recover a lot quicker. What my research into British motorsport has found is that we bottle everything up and then, like a champagne cork – excuse the pun – it just suddenly bursts open.
“ The stiff upper lip, to just brush yourself down and get on with it, it just doesn’ t work and we need to somehow bring another approach into our mindset.
“ It’ s not a one size fits all. People have approached me from different backgrounds, cultures, racing histories, you name it. Mental health issues can get any of us, but having someone who is relatable can help people to talk and explain what they’ re feeling – and all you need to do is start a conversation.”
● To talk to the BRDC Mental Health & Wellbeing team, please contact them via: shout @ brdc. co. uk
● The Motorsport UK Safeguarding Team is here to listen, offer advice, signpost and provide support where appropriate.
JEP
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Danny Watts has experienced first-hand the depths that mental health issues can take you to. Read more on his experiences here.
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