World Mental Health Day was marked in Hambleton with a walking and talking event at Cod Beck Reservoir near Osmotherley.
Members of the Up and Running group (pictured) – a joint initiative between Hambleton District Council, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust – used the day to highlight the benefits walking, talking and the outdoors have on mental health.
World mental health day is organised by World Federation for Mental Health, with 2019’s campaign also supported by the World Health Organisation, the international association for suicide prevention and united organisation for global mental health.
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness on mental health issues and mobilise efforts to support mental health.
The up and running programme is open to people receiving secondary mental health care.
The scheme was created and delivered by Glen Hilton and Lucy Prince, support time recovery workers for NYCC and David Earl, Hambleton District Council development officer for health and wellbeing.
They offer support, advice and guidance on the positive mental health benefits of walking and being outdoors, in addition to providing a health programme and nutritional advice.
“The latest research from Sport England – Active Lives – published on 17/10/2019 makes clear the mental health benefits of being active. When asked to rate their mental health on a scale of 0-10, active people reported feeling: more satisfied with their lives, happier, more likely to feel the things they do in life are worthwhile and less anxious,” said David Earl.
“Our aim is to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get active in a way that suits themselves.”
And Glen Hilton added: “It’s fantastic to see our running and walking group benefit from exercise on a weekly basis. This helps with physical and mental health as well social engagement. We can’t put a price on how exercise helps everyone in their daily life.”
For details of the scheme, or more information about opportunities to get active contact David Earl on 01609 7677202 or david.earl@hambleton.gov.uk
Be the first to comment