Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign is a yearly reminder of the widespread impact of mental illness on Canadians and the importance of fighting the stigma attached to it. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), one in five Canadian adults will experience a mental illness each year.
In 2016, in an effort to address some of the burden of mental health issues, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education launched the Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre (MPARC), the first research facility in Canada to integrate the study of physical activity and mental health. The centre features accessible cardiovascular and strength training, psychological assessment and state of the art data collection and analysis tools to allow researchers to study how exercise can improve physical and mental health and quality of life.
“We know from research that physical activity is one of the most effective ways to improve mental health, however we also know that those dealing with mental-health challenges are usually the least physically active,” says Catherine Sabiston, a professor in KPE and Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Mental Health. “At MPARC, we are committed to improving mental health by promoting physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviour and providing long-term solutions.”
One of these long-term solutions is designing physical activity programs that meet the needs of diverse populations, from cancer survivors and people with spinal cord injuries to students experiencing mental health challenges.
“The idea is to develop programs that will work not only in the lab, but also translate to the real world,” says Sabiston.
Two programs specifically help students exercise, set goals and manage stress. MoveU.HappyU is a six-week supervised exercise program for students seeking relief from high levels of stress, negative moods and worry. Students can be referred by U of T Health and Wellness clinicians and can start the program at any time.
“Since being implemented in the spring of 2016, MoveU.HappyU has had over 90 participants,” says Sabiston. “Results from the program evaluation demonstrate that it is effective in reducing psychological distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, while helping to improve psychological well-being, emotional ties and life satisfaction.”
The individualized one-on-one sessions are geared towards the students’ physical activity interests, so the program also serves to increase the students’ confidence about becoming physically active.
“Ultimately, we want students to enjoy exercise and make it part of their lives” says Sabiston.
Secondary Prevention and Rehabilitation Kinesiology (SPARK) is a 12-week program offered twice a year (in September and January) for students who are on medication for depression and/or anxiety, and who are followed by a clinician at U of T’s Health and Wellness Centre. This program also offers supervised exercise and behavioural counselling.
“Students have gained tremendously from both programs,” says Sabiston, who hopes more universities across Ontario and Canada will adopt similar initiatives.
“These are examples of cost-effective, feasible and sustainable ways to reduce the burden on health, wellness and psychological services on campuses that could easily work elsewhere,” she says. “Universities only need to dedicate hours for mental health programs and offer their sport and recreation spaces.”