Soul Walks

Background to Soul Walks

This initiative has been developed by the Somerset Physical Activity Group for mental health, comprising representatives from:

• District Councils – Active Lifestyle Teams

• MIND

• Natural England

• Rethink

• Skills and Learning Centre, Somerset County Council

• Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

• NHS Somerset 

• Somerset Racial Equality Council

• Somerset Wildlife Trust

The project has been called ‘Soul Walks – let your feet do the talking’.

The aim is to raise awareness and motivation to undertake physical activity to promote mental well-being. The intention has been to set up a series of Soul Walks throughout the county aimed at people with a range of mental health problems - with a target of 200 people in total going out on the different walks.

Details about Walking for Health/Soul Walks in your area: you can either contact one of the officers below, or visit the Walking for Health website for further information about the benefits of walking and a wider selection of walks across the south west. 

We all know about the physical health benefits of squeezing some activity into our daily lives, but getting active can boost your mental wellbeing at the same time.

Exercise has been proven to increase your energy levels, reduce stress, feelings of depression and anxiety, boost your mood and it is a great way to overcome any negative emotions you are feeling – and that can be after just one session. Some studies have shown that it can have the same antidepressant affect as psychotherapy or group therapy and more and more doctors are being encouraged to prescribe an exercise programme as part of a treatment plan for depression.

A list providing details of specialist physical activities set up to support people with mental health problems is also available.

Benefits of physical activity to promote mental health

• Can be fun and helps get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life

• Lifts your mood and helps deal with negative emotions

• Reduces stress and depression

• Helps you sleep better

• Reduces tension

• Increases energy levels

• Helps you feel better about your self-image as you may loose weight, change body shape and feel more muscle tone

• Taking part gives a sense of achievement and can change people’s self image, helping them see just what they are capable of.

• Learning a new skill or achieving a goal can boost self esteem and motivation, and can start a more positive cycle

Links between mental health and physical health

• Depression increases the risk of heart disease fourfold.

• People who use mental health services are four times as likely to die from respiratory disease as the general population.

• A person with a diagnosis of schizophrenia can expect to live for 10 years less than someone without a mental health problem. Much of this excess mortality is caused by physical health problems.

• Depression is a risk factor for strokes.

• Depression has a significant impact on health outcomes for chronic physical illness including asthma, arthritis and diabetes.

• People with common mental health problems are twice as likely to smoke as the general population.

• The socio-economic consequences of diagnosis include increased deprivation (housing, employment, education), reduction in social networks and social exclusion. These all have negative physical health impacts.

• People with mental health problems are twice as likely to be at risk of losing their job.

Physical health and mental health working together

• Numerous studies have shown that physical activity can result in a decrease in clinically significant depression.

• Comparative studies have demonstrated that exercise can be as effective as medication or psychotherapy.on mild to moderate depression.

• Physical activity and exercise have consistently been associated with positive mood.

• Exercise can be used as a medium to promote self worth and other important physical self perceptions such as body image. 

Ref: Physical Activity and Mental Health – National Consensus Statements and Guidance for Practice. Edited by Trudi Grant 2000

Exercise and Depression – Mental Health Foundation – June 2005

World Mental Health Day

• World Mental Health Day was observed for the first time in 1992. It was started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. The day is officially commemorated every year on October 10th.