UK - Mental Health Foundation

Citation

(2005), "UK - Mental Health Foundation", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 18 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2005.06218bab.003

UK - Mental Health Foundation

Exercise your way to good mental health – Mental Health Action Week Sunday 27 March-Saturday 2 April 2005

Keywords: Mental health services, Health education, Depression services

To mark Mental Health Action Week 2005, the Mental Health Foundation will be leading a campaign to raise awareness about the effectiveness of exercise in preventing and treating mild to moderate mental health problems including depression and anxiety.

Increasing numbers of people in the UK are being treated for common mental health problems, and the World Health Organisation predicts that by 2020, depression will be second only to heart disease as an international health burden.

Whilst it is common knowledge that exercise benefits our physical health, few know about the positives it has upon our mental health. Whilst we take vitamins, eat organic foods and drink pro-biotic yogurts in an attempt to care for our bodies, many of us don’t know the first thing about looking after our minds. This year’s Mental Health Action Week aims to get people thinking about their mental health, and asking them to consider it as important as their physical health.

Experiences that we encounter – relationship break-ups, bereavement, financial worries, stressful jobs – can all act as triggers for depression and anxiety. It is therefore no surprise that we spend £570 million a year on anti-depressants.

But how many of us know that exercise can be effective in both preventing and treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety? Exercise actually acts as a preventive medicine against anxiety and depression, and a strong immune system makes the mind better able to cope with life’s stresses and strains.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said: “Mental Health Action Week will work to educate people about the fact that exercise, whether it be a walk in the park, dance class or game of badminton, can make you feel good. People need to start keeping themselves in good mental shape and exercise helps to both prevent and treat depression and anxiety”.

On Tuesday 29 March, the Mental Health Foundation will be launching a report about the use of exercise in treating mild to moderate depression, and the positive effects that exercise can have on a person’s mental health.

Mental Health Action Week is an annual event which has been running since the 1950s. The week aims to raise awareness of mental health issues, and encourage people to look after their mental health. Every year, more than 1,500 local organisations and groups, including doctors’ surgeries, prisons and schools, hold events and display materials to raise awareness of the week locally.

For further information please contact Fran Gorman or Celia Richardson on 020 7802 0313/0312, or e-mail fgorman@mhf.org.uk or crichardson@mhf.org.ukweb site: www.mentalhealth.org.uk