A huge number of us suffer from poor mental health at some point in our lives. Traditionally people have had to shoulder the problem alone - facing embarrassment and stigma, on top of the difficulty. Last week I had the pleasure of going to the Brentwood Centre in the presence of the Mental Health minister Jackie Doyle-Price to see how a superb local charity, Fitness in Mind, is helping people overcome such problems through physical exercise.
It was a deeply moving event - and at no moment more so than when a user of the service, Evie, told us how the twelve-week programme had helped her rebuild her life.
The long standing ovation she received was a great tribute to both her and those running Fitness in Mind.
Evie told us she had been a fit and healthy 37-year-old with a job, a house and a happy social life. Then a series of events overwhelmed her and she had a breakdown. She could not work, withdrew from friends and could not leave the house. The NHS helped her, but there were long periods of waiting for counselling and support. She could see no way out until she was given a leaflet about Fitness in Mind.
Fitness in Mind was first launched at the Brentwood Leisure Centre in 2014, bringing together people with mental illnesses, ranging from bi-polar to social anxiety to depression, with support workers and sports coaches for a twelve-week programme of sport and support. Free fitness classes are provided six days a week so those who feel they have lost their sense of purpose in life have something to get up for in the morning. They are supported by people with personal experience of mental health problems - making sure that empathy is at the heart of the work.
The Fitness in Mind results have been excellent with those attending the twelve-week programme reporting a 17% decrease in low mental well-being and a 27% increase in fitness.
Nationally, the Government has legislated to treat mental health with the same importance as physical health. Progress is being made - 75 per cent of people referred for talking therapies to treat problems such as depression and anxiety now start their treatment within 6 weeks, and 95 per cent within 18 weeks.
Much more needs to be done, but we can be proud that Fitness in Mind in Brentwood is already offering such a positive service for local people to help them step out of despair and reclaim their lives. It’s an inspirational programme and I will certainly be backing its call for more funding.