Daniel Ricciardo Speaks about Depression and Becomes Mental Health Ambassador

Depression and other mental health issues should not be a taboo subject in this day and age, but they continue to struggle to gain the exposure that they require in the public domain. Red Bull’s Formula One ace Daniel Ricciardo has bucked the trend and spoken out, becoming a mental health ambassador in the process.

Ricciardo revealed that his perspective regarding depression and mental health has been enriched through helping out Stefani Caminiti, a lifelong friend who has battled and overcome these issues. The smiling assassin on-track has become an ambassador for the Inner Ninja Foundation, which encourages people to seek out help regarding these issues.

So awesome catching up with dear friend @danielricciardo! So many 😂 Big things in the works! We can't wait for 2017! 😝 #LiveBreatheEmbrace pic.twitter.com/aRSC6b3Qmo

— Stefani Caminiti (@TheInnerNinjaFo) December 30, 2016

Daniel Ricciardo explained the importance of mental health awareness and why he has taken on the role of ambassador for the Inner Ninja Foundation.

“I’ve got some friends who have gone through some stuff. There are a few people who have been closer to me so I’m trying to do my little part if I can and help out.

To be honest it’s something that is quite new me to me in terms of my understanding of it all. Only within the last six or so months I’ve lets say opened my eyes to it a bit more. It’s not something that many people talk about but it happens and it’s a big problem to a lot of people.

It’s a big fight overcoming such a thing so I think the more people that have some of these issues, we’re trying to say get it out there and address it.

And don’t let things bottle up for too long and make a small problem turn into a big one.”

– Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo gets massive respect for helping the Inner Ninja Foundation raise awareness and his presence as an ambassador will work wonders in helping the message spread.

Founder of the Inner Ninja Foundation and Aussie champion of mental health Stefani Caminiti told us that,

“The Inner Ninja Foundation’s main objectives are to develop and implement programs into the community that promote mental wellness, emotional resilience and suicide prevention – Sharing lived experience voices and stories. The best advocates are people who have lived and battled with mental illnesses.

Having Daniel Ricciardo as an ambassador means we promote positive mental wellness on an extremely large scale and also shows the public that mental wellness is a topic that needs to be spoken about.”

– Stefani Caminiti