Equitas launches the "Stress Affects Us All" Campaign
Equitas, our media brand and positivity movement for female equestrians, is proud to launch the Stress Affects Us All campaign in support of Stress Awareness Month for equestrians. This campaign aims to create a dialogue around stress in the equine industry, understanding its triggers and coping mechanisms, and encouraging support for individuals at all levels across all disciplines.
The equine industry is demanding and requires unwavering commitment and dedication from both horse and rider. The bond between horse and rider is one of trust, respect, love and affection and mutual understanding. However, the demands of the sport, the pressure to succeed, the costs involved, the time needed and the responsibility of caring for these magnificent animals can take a toll on an individual's mental well-being. Stress and anxiety are not uncommon in the equestrian industry, and it's time we started talking about it just like we did with Mental Health for the HAY "How Are You" Campaign in January.
Stress can affect anyone in the equestrian industry, from the elite athletes to the casual riders. We need to break the stigma surrounding stress and mental health and recognize that it is a sign of strength, not weakness. As part of the Stress Affects Us All campaign, we want to celebrate the strength and resilience of equestrians while recognizing the importance of addressing mental health.
Equestrianism is not just about horse racing; it includes a wide range of disciplines, from show jumping to dressage, eventing, endurance riding, and many more. The Stress Affects Us All campaign aims to reach out to everyone involved in equestrianism, regardless of their discipline or level of experience. By coming together, we can create a supportive community that understands the unique challenges of the equestrian industry.
I asked some leaders here at Equitas to share their thoughts on the importance of addressing stress in the equestrian industry:
"Stress is a factor that affects us all, in all walks of life but, I feel isn't acknowledged enough. With Stress Awareness Month I hope Equitas can empower change to open conversations about stress and how we can cope with it. I'm looking forward to hearing individual experiences from all in our community." - Equitas Co-Founder and Head of Media, Muireann O'Toole Brennan.
"I'm excited about the conversations this campaign will open. I like to think social media can be used for good and facilitate positive change, because #StressAffectsusAll " - Equitas Head of Social Rachel MacKenzie.
"Stress is part of being human. Our resilience and strength can be built on being aware and able to manage stress. Always be mindful of your stress levels, take the time to decompress so things don't get on top of you. Kindness to yourself is vital in managing stress levels." - Equitas Head of Community, Heather Lemmon Kiely.
The Stress Affects Us All campaign aims to get people talking about stress in the equine industry, promoting understanding and awareness of mental health issues. By sharing experiences and learning from one another, we can develop strategies to manage stress, support one another, and work towards creating a positive and uplifting community.
As part of the campaign, we encourage everyone to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #StressAffectsUsAll. Let's come together to create a supportive community that recognises the unique challenges of the equestrian industry.
In conclusion, Equitas is proud to launch the Stress Affects Us All campaign in support of Stress Awareness Month for equestrians. Let's break the stigma surrounding stress and mental health and recognise that it is a sign of strength, not weakness to chat through these things.
We hope that by coming together, we can create a supportive and positive environment where everyone in the equestrian industry feels comfortable discussing their stress triggers and coping mechanisms. By raising awareness and promoting positive mental health, we can support individuals at all levels and across all disciplines in the equine industry.
Remember, stress affects us all, but we can work together to manage it and create a stronger, more supportive community. Join us in supporting the Stress Affects Us All campaign and let's Empower Change, Together in the equestrian industry.
