The Hidden Dangers of Being a Jockey: Mental Health and Life-Changing Injuries

Making a living as a jockey is incredibly tough and the physical and mental demands 'can be a recipe for disaster'.

Eurico Rosa da Silva, a retired jockey who raced for five years in his native Brazil, told The Independent last year that during his victory in his 30s, he was fighting suicidal thoughts every day at home. He said: "I got to the point where I have no more choice but to go for help. I went because if I have no choice, I would kill myself."

American jockey Mike Smith, a friend of Whisman, said it's not the first time he's witnessed fellow sportsmen suffer. He explained: "I know several riders that I knew very well committed suicide when it was all said and done. This is not all of a sudden just happening. It's been going on." A study by Dr Lewis King, now at Ireland's Technological University of the Shannon, found 61 percent of jockeys met the threshold for adverse alcohol use, 35 percent for depression and 27 percent for anxiety. His research also found that nearly 80 percent of jockeys have at least one common mental health disorder - but only a third have sought professional help.

Some have been known to use sweat suits, saunas and hot baths in an attempt to rapidly lose pounds. Back in the day, 'heaving bowls' were on the side of US race tracks for vomiting, or 'flipping' as it is known in the trade. In poor cases, riders would lose their teeth due to the constant acidic bile.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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