#RUN AND TALK
Burnden Road Runners are now one of a network of volunteer clubs in England Athletics affiliated clubs and RunTogether groups promoting mental wellbeing through running and supporting the aims of #RunAndTalk.
Later in 2022 Burnden Road Runners will be taking part in #RunAndTalk Week – part of the #RunAndTalk campaign created by England Athletics, and supported by Mind – the mental health charity.
#RunAndTalk Week places a focus on improving mental wellbeing through running – encouraging people to help break the stigma around the subject by meeting for a run and discussing mental health.
Last year #RunAndTalk Week took place from Monday 20 to Sunday 26 September – to coincide with World Gratitude Day on Tuesday 21 September. After the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the campaign promoted talking about the positives in our lives and the things we’re all grateful for.
Statistics show that one in five adults have recently experienced depressive symptoms compared to one in ten before the Covid-19 pandemic began1. During the initial lockdown, it was also reported that three in five adults, and two in three young people, said their mental health had worsened2.
Organised runs are led by a UKA qualified leader or coach and some runs will also have a volunteer Mental Health Champion joining in. All the Champions have lived experience of mental health problems themselves or through close family or friends and are passionate about improving mental wellbeing through running.
Whether you plan to sign-up for the run with Burnden Road Runners, or if you just want to help spread the word, you can share information and encourage people to take part using #RunAndTalk and @EnglandAthletic (Twitter) or @EnglandAthletics (Facebook/Instagram) on social media.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Burnden members got together for World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October to say why they run, hear the story's below.
Burnden Road Runners are pleased to be taking part in the England Athletics #runandtalk campaign.
The aim is to get people talking about mental health, sharing their experiences and removing stigma. Also to provide support and guidance to raise awareness of mental health problems. Supporting people experiencing mental health problems to be physically active through running, whether that is to support them in starting, returning to or continuing to run.
Hub of Hope - Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma.
Chasing the Stigma (CTS) has launched the Hub of Hope - a national mental health database, bringing help and support together in one place, with a focus on grassroots organisations.
Click here to discover your local support organisations
Burnden Road Runners are pleased to have Carolyn, Anne, Karen, Lee, Richard and Lawrence as appointed Mental Health Champions.
You can contact a member of the runandtalk team here at Burnden by emailingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
So what do Mental Health Champions do?
Support - support Burnden Road Runners with an action plan
Engage - link with local mental health organisations
Tweet - using the #runandtalk
Share - share on social media using the #runandtalk
Talk - start conversations about mental health
Advocate - provide information and guidance about mental health
Volunteer - volunteer in wider mental health activity.
