Exercise and depression

Guest Blogger

27 Sep 2012

Hi, my name is Tim Carter and I’m a researcher working for the University of Nottingham. I’m working on a project looking into the effects of exercise on low mood and depression in young people.

Why are we doing it? Well, there’s lots of evidence to say that exercise is a good way of helping improve low mood in adults but there’s not much to say the same in young people. We think exercise is beneficial to young people who are struggling with low mood, however without evidence from research to show this beneficial effect, exercise will not be used as a treatment alongside therapy and medication for low mood and depression in young people. We think this is important because, as well as helping improve people’s mood, exercise can also improve people’s self-esteem, confidence and help people get fit and healthy.

The exercise we are getting people to take part in is circuit training. The circuit training classes will be run in small groups of young people and be friendly and easy going

So we are looking for volunteers to take part in the project. If you are aged 14-17, living in Nottinghamshire, and have seen a professional about feeling low or down (this could be a GP, counsellor, school nurse etc) then we would really like to hear from you. If you are interested then you can give me a ring on: 07585984327 or email me at: timothy.carter@nottingham .ac.uk

You can also visit the project website for more information.

Thanks for reading

Tim Carter

For more information on helping to look after your mental health visit the YoungMinds website.

Tags:: Depression, Young people, adolescent mental health, exercise

2 Comments

Amy
3 months ago

I am currently researching into the effects physical activity and nutrition have on anxiety and depression for my dissertation! Could you possibly suggest any good links/resources/databases/evidence/websites that may be of use?

Thanks,

Amy
Chris Leaman
3 months ago

Hi Amy,

On our website we have sections for young people on eating well http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_children_young_people/better_mental_health/look_after_your_body
and exercise http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_children_young_people/better_mental_health/exercise_mental_health

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has this booklet on exercise and mental health http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/treatments/physicalactivity.aspx

The Mental Health Foundation has this booklet on food and its effect on mental health. http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/content/assets/PDF/publications/Feeding-Minds.pdf?view=Standard

Hope this helps and good luck!

Chris

Chris Leaman, Media and Public Affairs Officer at YoungMinds