At Mind, we believe no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone. We’re here to fight for mental health. For support. For respect. For you.
This Mental Health Awareness Week we have launched our new spoken word films 'If this speaks to you, speak to us’.
The last two years have been challenging for our mental health and as we move to 'living with coronavirus' we know it will have a deep and lasting impact.
Before coronavirus we knew that mental health rates were increasing. Research from NHS Digital in 2020 found that one in six children and young people experience a mental health problem each year. Taking us back to 2017, that figure was in one in nine. A significant increase before we were all asked to stay home, pause work and studies, and limit our social contact.
Physical activity has an important role in supporting the nation to stay and live well.
At Mind, we believe sport and physical activity can build resilience, support and enable mental health recovery, and tackle mental health stigma as we have seen through large scale campaigns such as our 'On Your Side' partnership with the English Football League.
During the height of the lockdowns our government, through Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, encouraged us to be active outdoors to support our mental health.
Unlike many countries, who had to stay indoors, they recognised the key role physical activity can play in both prevention and management during times of distress and uncertainty.
An array of online content from the likes of 'The Body Coach' Joe Wicks and the We Are Undefeatable campaign helping us to move more in the home and outdoors, cemented the message that being active supports our mental health.
How much?
But how much physical activity is needed to help build up our resilience and support good mental health?
For many years mental health, and its relationship with physical activity, has been under-researched. And, while there are causal links with mental health outcomes, it hasn’t been straight-forward to establish the exact physiological processes that take place or how much activity is needed.
That said, there is a shift taking place and we are seeing more data coming through.