#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.
Burnden Road Runners now have members appointed within the club as Mental Health Champions, Carolyn Barker began the initiative for the club to get involved in the rewarding program Run and Talk created by England Athletics and supported by the Charity Mind. The program has been created by EA with the aim of improving mental health through running in England.
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.
#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.
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 worsened.
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 a 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.