Be Kind Month: What is mental health?

On Mental Health Awareness Week, find out more about what mental health is, with information provided by Riders Minds.

Currently, there are 19 million riders in the UK. Given 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives, a large proportion of riders at some point will experience a mental health problem, whether directly or indirectly. 

What mental health means

Thinking about the definition, it’s your emotional, psychological, physiological, and social well-being. It helps determine how you handle stress, relate to others, make choices and decisions.  

It impacts:

• How you function on a daily basis; how you think, feel, behave and act.
• Your performance and ability to do your job, run your yard, ride your horses, and your problem-solving skills.
• Your confidence, resilience – your bounce back-ability.
• Your potential to be the best you can be.
• Your ability to learn…. from your mistakes, experiences and cope with and manage change and uncertainty.

It affects how you communicate, your ability to form, and maintain, relationships with others and so in effect, all those around you; family, friends, grooms, owners, suppliers, work colleagues, and your relationship with your horses and ponies.

What mental health isn't 

Mental ill health, illness, conditions, disorders; depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, bipolar, self-harm, suicide, anorexia, bulimia, or any of the hundreds of clinically diagnosable disorders.

The terms mental health and mental ill health have become interchangeable with many people consciously, subconsciously or unconsciously thinking of mental health issues, problems or illnesses when mental health is mentioned.

We need to brake, and break the connection – mental health is not mental ill health. Mental health is one thing, mental ill health is another.

Much like horses, if one is, or becomes, an ‘anxious’ horse, ulcers and other physical conditions are often present, and we see behaviour changes.

Long term box rest can impact a horse’s mental well-being, their temperament and needs careful management. Similarly, a symptom of grass sickness can be distress and depression.

Like horses, everyone is different; has their own unique set of indicators, known as our non-verbal communications, our ‘personal clues and cues’.

The connection between mental and physical health

It’s important to note that poor mental health is not ‘just in the mind’. 

Mental health conditions can affect physical health, with mental illness associated with a range of very real, physical symptoms such as:

• Palpitations, lethargy, digestion problems; 
• High blood pressure, fatigue, shortness of breath; 
• Links to some cancers, headaches;
• Skin conditions, upset tummies, pins and needles.  

These are some of the symptoms linked to mental health issues, not indicators of mental health issues on their own.

Each person will react differently and may experience very different symptoms, and some may occur without our knowing. That’s why recognising our ‘personal clues’, our indicators, is important for our mental health.

It’s often far easier to deal with a physical injury, disability or illness. For example, you’re a professional rider and break your leg in a fall. You still need to manage your business, arrange cover, manage your owners etc.  However, being unable to work as usual, potential financial worries, stress, insurance cover/claims etc, how the horses will be with a different rider, could affect your mental health. 

Some physical conditions, disabilities or long-term injuries can take a huge toll on our mental health too, especially when we’re trying to continue working and riding as usual, and managing them at the same time.  Again, knowing our personal signs when to take a break, pause or stop for a while are important.

Simply not being able to ride for any physical reason, can have an impact. After all many ride purely for enjoyment and pleasure so being unable to do the thing they love can affect mental health.

Depending on the situation and incapacity, feelings such as isolation, frustration, distress, overwhelm and helplessness may creep in and, if unaddressed, may affect our mental health.

Medication for a physical illness can sometimes affect mental health and/or mood too. Careful medication management is needed.

That’s why it’s important when we’re physically ill or injured, to be aware of our mental health when thinking about what’s the best course of action to take, including whether some extra support is needed, and accepting offers of support.

Understanding what mental health is, is an important element of taking steps to be able to support not only ourselves, but those around us. Visit Riders Minds via the link below to read the full feature. 

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Riders Minds 

Riders Minds provides support for all equestrians as online bespoke resource dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of all. They are open to everyone, of all ages, levels and experience, and offer a wealth of practical information and a 24/7 helpline.

Free Call: 0800 088 2073

Or if you prefer to message then text: 

Text: 07480 488 103

VISIT RIDERS MINDS