WITH ALL THE POSITIVE MENTAL BENEFITS RUNNING HAS TO OFFER, IT”S NO WONDER MORE WOMEN ARE TURNING TO IT TO HELP THEM PROCESS AND MANAGE STRESSFUL LIFE SITUATIONS…

WORDS: CLAIRE CHAMBERLAIN

HEALING POWERS

Mental health and wellbeing has been hitting the headlines recently – more so since the Royal backing of the Heads Together campaign, launched at the Virgin Money London Marathon 2017 – and rightly so. With the Mental Health Network estimating there will be approximately two million more adults in the UK facing mental health problems in 2030 than there were in 2013, it”s vital that we reduce the stigma and ensure more people know it”s OK to ask for support.

Of those who report they have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, 19 per cent have been diagnosed with depression, including post-natal depression, making this the most frequent diagnosis. But of course, mental distress is far reaching, encompassing everything from stress and anxiety, through to depression and mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. Mental distress can have genetic roots or be triggered by a traumatic life event, such as a bereavement, and it can be chronic or a one-off experience. Mental health charity Mind estimates one in four of us will suffer from a mental health condition at some point in our lives, so it”s important we keep mental health at the forefront of conversation.