Australian motorsport is built on passion, community and resilience. It brings together drivers, riders, crews, officials, families and volunteers who share a deep love of the sport. But beneath the noise of engines and the thrill of competition, many in the motorsport community quietly carry the weight of stress, pressure, grief and mental health challenges without knowing where to turn.
RaceMind Australia was founded to change that. We exist to bring visible, relevant and accessible mental health support to the people who make Australian motorsport what it is, at the track, in the community and online.
As a national registered charity, we are free from commercial interests and entirely focused on the wellbeing of the motorsport community. We believe that when people have the right support early, they do not just survive, they thrive.
To improve the mental health and wellbeing of the Australian motorsport community through education, awareness, connection and support.
A motorsport community where mental health is valued, stigma is reduced and every person knows they are not alone.
At RaceMind Australia, we acknowledge and deeply respect the lived and living experiences of people who have faced mental health challenges, psychological distress, trauma, and suicide, including those who have supported loved ones through these experiences and those bereaved by suicide.
We recognise that lived and living experience brings invaluable knowledge, insight and understanding that cannot be gained through professional training alone. These experiences help shape more compassionate, meaningful and effective approaches to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
We acknowledge the unique pressures that can exist within motorsport, where competition, identity, performance, relationships and belonging can have a profound impact on mental wellbeing.
We honour the courage of those who share their experiences, while equally respecting those who choose to keep their stories private. No one should feel obligated to disclose their personal experiences to be heard, valued or supported.
We remember those we have lost to suicide, stand alongside those experiencing mental health challenges today, and recognise the families, friends and communities whose lives have been forever changed.
At RaceMind Australia, we believe that lived and living experience must be respected, valued and included in the conversations and initiatives that seek to improve mental health across our motorsport community.
Every story matters. Every conversation counts. Nobody should have to face their struggles alone.
We build understanding of mental health in a way that speaks directly to the motorsport community.
We connect people with the right information and resources when and where they need it.
We bring the motorsport community together around mental health and wellbeing.
We help individuals, teams and clubs to build cultures where mental health belongs.
A friendly, non-clinical presence at motorsport events, providing information, resources and a welcoming space to connect.
Tailored mental health workshops and presentations for teams, clubs and event organisers across Australia.
Programs and events that bring the motorsport community together around mental health awareness and connection.
Practical, motorsport-specific mental health resources and factsheets available online, when and where you need them.
Join RaceMind Australia and help build a community where mental health is visible, valued and supported.
RaceMind Australia is led by a founding team with deep roots in both the motorsport community and the mental health and social services sector. Together, they bring the lived experience, professional expertise and genuine passion needed to make a lasting difference.
RaceMind Australia (The Australian Motorsports Mental Health Foundation Ltd) is a registered national charity. We are committed to transparency, governance and using every dollar to support the mental health and wellbeing of the Australian motorsport community.
Charity Details:
ABN: 39 700 787 220
Registered National Charity
Whether you race, volunteer, support someone who does or simply love the sport, there is a place for you in RaceMind Australia.
Founding Director
Jade Burgmann is the Founding Director of RaceMind Australia. With more than 30 years of experience as a social worker, Jade brings extensive expertise in community development, inclusion and mental health.
Her passion for motorsport began in the early 1980s through her father’s involvement in the sport and has remained a driving force throughout her life. Recognising the gap between mental health support and the motorsport world she loved, Jade founded RaceMind Australia to bridge that divide and create a visible, welcoming presence for anyone in the motorsport community who needs support.
Founding Director
Gavin McCarthy is the Founding Director of RaceMind Australia. He brings extensive mechanical knowledge and practical experience across passenger vehicles and four-wheel drives, alongside a lifelong connection to the motorsport community.
Growing up in his family’s automotive business in Canberra, Gavin developed a deep appreciation for the culture, camaraderie and challenges of the automotive world. He is a passionate four-wheel-drive enthusiast and a dedicated supporter of motorsport in all its forms. Gavin brings practical leadership and operational focus to the mission of RaceMind Australia.
Founding Director
Shannon McCarthy is the Founding Director of RaceMind Australia and plays a key role in overseeing the organisation’s operations and administration. She is an accomplished administrator and has served as a director of several not-for-profit organisations.
Introduced to motorsport from an early age, Shannon quickly developed a passion of her own. She has recently completed rally driver training, further strengthening her personal connection to the community RaceMind Australia exists to serve.
Board Member
Joshua Richards is a passionate Queensland racing driver, ambassador and advocate for positive change both on and off the track. He has competed successfully in the Queensland Excel Track Attack Series, building a reputation for determination and consistency, and becoming the 2024 Queensland Track Attack Champion.
Beyond racing, Joshua is passionate about using motorsport as a platform for positive community impact. As an ambassador and advocate for mental health, he works to encourage open conversations, reduce stigma and remind people that asking for help is a sign of strength. Through initiatives including Men Matter and programmes supporting people with disabilities, Joshua uses his journey in motorsport to inspire others and make a difference both at the racetrack and beyond.
Board Member
Mark’s lifelong passion for motorsport began at a young age, supporting the Australian Racing Drivers Club alongside his father. Over many years, he assisted the operations team at major race meetings at Amaroo Park and Bathurst, gaining hands-on experience across major events. He has worked with race teams in categories including Improved Production, Commodore Cup, V8 Utes, 2 Litre Super Tourers, and V8 Supercars, contributing to logistics and operations. Mark is currently the organiser of an annual Legends of Motorsport event covering all disciplines of the sport. Alongside his motorsport involvement, Mark brings decades of industry experience in sales and marketing, a commitment to building strong relationships, and a focus on supporting team performance.
