United Voices, Brighter Futures is our starting gate. This presentation shares how Aotearoa New Zealand’s racing industry has united codes, leaders, and lived experience to co-design OnTrack, a peer-led, workplace programme built by the industry, for the industry. Our baseline research, undertaken by Griffith University, shows the scale and urgency: 42% of participants reported moderate to severe depression, and 11% had recent thoughts that they’d be better off dead. These risks sit alongside stacked high-risk psychosocial hazards, such as rural and shift-based work, overwork/burnout (37%) and exposure to angry or hostile behaviour (30%).
What is different about OnTrack is where the voice and power sit. The programme is code-neutral and independent to protect trust; it is co-designed with the workforce and led by peers who speak racing’s language. We grow practical skills around one simple loop, Notice → Ask → Listen → Connect → Follow up, so help is offered early and locally. Training pathways build capability alongside field delivery: OnTrack to Action and Track Yacks (awareness), a nationwide Champions network (peer supporters), and ASIST suicide first aiders for safe intervention, crisis planning and connection to care. Postvention, critical-incident support, a 24/7 line and non-clinical case brokerage complete the “river of care” from upstream system settings to downstream recovery.
The underlying engine is social identity: racing’s tight knit “family” becomes an asset for collective action. OnTrack explicitly leverages SIMCA, connection, shared challenge, and collective efficacy, to shift norms and sustain change. This approach centres lived and living experience at every level, Champions on the ground, leaders modelling care, and de-identified workforce insights informing policy and practice, aligning with conference priorities on lived experience, workplace/industry approaches, training, leadership, and data-to-practice translation.
The programme is currently being evaluated by Griffith University through a Pilot evaluation of OnTrack to Action, Track Yacks and the Champions programmes. Evaluation data was collected from September 2024 to October 2025 via brief participant surveys completed before, and after training sessions. Statistical testing will compare the pre and post results. To determine improvements in suicide awareness, and in participants’ willingness and confidence to support others.
Developed in New Zealand racing, the model scales to other jurisdictions and high-risk industries, supported by rigorous evaluation and co-design, ensuring it remains identity-driven and transferable.
Together, united voices can move the field from awareness to collective action, and towards brighter futures where fewer lives are lost to suicide.