Currently, 1 in 4 people in Britain experience mental health problems each year (according to Mind). The chances are pretty high then that every one of us knows someone who’s suffering with some aspect of mental health. It’s also pretty likely that we don’t actually know they’re suffering, due to the persistent stigma surrounding it.
As climbers, it probably isn’t a surprise to learn about the benefits of being active. For those of us who climb outdoors (or hike, run, swim), the endorphins we get from those experiences in natural environments is partly what brings us back outside. Scientific studies have shown spending time outdoors is a powerful natural anti-depressant, and regular exercise can reduce the risk of depression by a whopping 30%.
credit Natasha Hirst Photography
That’s why Womenclimb are delighted to see the launch of Mountains for the Mind, a new campaign from Trail magazine to get mental health issues out in the open.
Whether you’re just starting out on your outdoors adventures, or encouraging friends to join you, we think this is a hugely important initiative to everyone’s well-being, and we encourage you to support it and be part of the change for good.
Once you sign up, you’ll receive a monthly newsletter packed with ideas for mountain trips, inspiring stories, and camp
aign news. Most importantly, the campaign says, “we’ll tell you how to get more people outside, so they can feel alive in the mountains too.”
Read more about Mountains for the Mind
Trail Magazine
More on this topic from Womenclimb:
Beth on Climbing and mental health
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