Physical Activity and
Mental Health
Agenda
Introduction
― Welcome
― Housekeeping
― Workshop Overview
Mental Health and Mental Illness: Defining Key Concepts
Mental Health Promotion Key Concepts
Connecting Mental Health and Physical Activity
Exploring Community Resources
Reflecting on our Current Practice
Wrap Up
― Questions
Page 2
Physical Activity Resource Centre
• PARC is the Centre of Excellence for Physical Activity Promotion in
Ontario
• PARC is managed by Ophea
• PARC services support capacity-building, knowledge-sharing and
learning opportunities
• PARC services include providing:
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Consultations & referrals
Trainings & workshops
Physical activity resources
Annual Symposium
Resource database
Weekly Listserv
parc.ophea.net
parc@ophea.net
@parcontario
Ophea
• A provincial not-for-profit organization - established in
1921 and incorporated in 1990
• Dedicated to supporting Ontario schools and
communities through quality program supports,
partnerships, and advocacy
• Supportive of Health and Physical Education (H&PE) as
a foundational component of healthy schools and
communities
CAMH Resource Centre
• The CAMH Resource Centre is a
program of the Health Promotion and
Prevention (HP & P) Unit within the
Provincial System Support Program at
the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health
• Funded by the Health Promotion
Division of MOHLTC
• We provide system support, capacity
building, content expertise and
access to information, research and
guidance as it relates to mental
health promotion, substance use and
tobacco for health promotion and
public health audiences in Ontario
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Mental Health and
Mental Illness:
Defining Key
Concepts
Did you know?
1 in 5 Canadians will experience a
mental illness in their lifetime. The
remaining 4 Canadians will have a
friend, family member or colleague
who will.
(Health Canada, 2002)
Some individuals
claim that the stigma
from their mental
illness is worse than
the actual illness
itself.
(Commonwealth of
Australia, 2005)
70% of mental health problems
and illnesses have their onset
during childhood or
adolescence.
(Government of Canada, 2006)
The first symptoms and onset of major
mental health disorders develop during
adolescence and early adulthood;
however, individuals in this age group
are the least likely to access mental
health services, with only one-third of
those who need mental health services
in Canada actually receiving them.
(Statistics Canada, 2003)
• What is mental health?
• What is mental illness?
Defining the terms:
Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
• MH and MI are frequently confused
• Related, but distinct concepts
Mental Illness
Mental illnesses are disorders which
cause a serious disturbance in
thinking, emotions or behavior
What does mental illness look like?
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Anxiety disorders
• Personality disorders
• Eating disorders
one
in
five
Stigma
Stigma refers to negative attitudes (prejudice)
and negative behaviour (discrimination).
Stigma includes:
 Having fixed ideas and judgments
 Fearing and avoiding what we don’t understand
From: Stigma: Understanding the impact of prejudice and
discrimination on people with mental health
and substance use problems. CAMH, 2007.
“The Ontario Burden of Mental Illness and
Addictions”
Mental Health
“Mental health is a state of
well-being in which the
individual realizes his or
her own abilities, can
cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work
productively and
fruitfully, and is able to
make contribution to his
or her community.”
-World Health
Organization
Mental
health
>
Absence of
mental illness
Two Continuum Model of Mental Health
Flourishing
2
1
Serious Mental
Illness
No
symptoms
3
4
Languishing
Source: Mental Health for Canadians: Striking a Balance. Health and Welfare Canada, 1988.
Three Most Significant
Determinants of Mental Health
1.Social inclusion
2.Freedom from discrimination & violence
3.Access to economic resources
Keleher & Armstrong, 2006; Mental Health Promotion in
Ontario: A Call to Action, 2008
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Mental Health
Promotion Key
Concepts
Definition: Mental Health Promotion
• “…the process of enhancing the
capacity of individuals and
communities to take control over their
lives and improve their mental
health.”
• Mental health promotion uses
strategies that foster supportive
environments and individual
resilience, while showing respect for
culture, equity, social justice,
interconnections and personal
dignity.”
Joubert, N., Taylor, L. & Williams, I. (1996).
Mental Health Promotion: The Time Is Now.
Ottawa: Mental Health Promotion Unit, Health
Canada.
Goals of Mental Health Promotion
Mental health promotion (MHP) aims to:
• Enhance protective factors for positive
mental health (resiliency)
• Reduce or eliminate risk factors contributing
to poor mental health
• Influence some of the broader social
determinants of health that contribute to
poor mental health
Resiliency and Mental Health
Resilience “involves
being able to
recover from
difficulties or
change—to function
as well as before and
then move forward”
(Barankin &
Khanlou, 2007)
Resiliency and Mental Health
People who are resilient can:
• Understand and can sympathize with how others are
feeling
• Communicate well with others
• Solve problems
• Be driven to achieve goals
• Be involved in meaningful activities
• Be hopeful for the future
• Develop good relationships
(Barankin & Khanlou, 2007)
Page 21
Risk and Protective Factors
Risk Factors
• physical illness
• parental mental illness
Individual level
• academic failure
Protective Factors
• adaptability, sense of security
and feelings of mastery
• coping and problem solving
ability
• feelings of optimism; resilience
Interpersonal &
Community level
• family distress, peer
alienation
• family harmony, positive parentchild interactions
• work stress, unemployment
• achievement and recognition in
school or work
• lack of social support
• community tolerance
• poverty
Societal level
• violence and trauma
• social inclusion, civic
engagement and participation
• discrimination, social
exclusion and social injustice
• access to economic resources,
services and supports
Addressing and Modifying Risk and
Protective Factors
• Enhancing protective factors can:
―Protect from negative effects of risk factors
―Lead to reduction in duration and burden of
disease if done early
• Resilience = individual characteristics + family
characteristics + the physical and social
environment
• Every person is different
• Risk and protective factors are cumulative
Page 23
Social Determinants of Health
Page 24
Social Determinants of Health
Public Health Agency of Canada lists some key determinants of
health as follows:
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income and social status
social support networks
education and literacy
employment/working conditions
social environments
physical environments
personal health practices and coping skills
healthy child development
biology and genetic endowment
health services
gender
culture
Page 25
What do you do to promote your mental
health?
Please use the poll option to indicate ways you promote
your own mental health…
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Connecting Mental
Health and Physical
Activity
Benefits of Physical Activity
20 to 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity activity can:
• give you more energy
• reduce stress and anxiety
• improve concentration
• help you to sleep better
• help you to relax
• reduce your risk of dementia
• help you to meet people and make new friends
• help you to move with fewer aches and pains
• increase your bone strength
• help you control body weight
• reduce your risk for falls and injuries.
Page 28
Physical and Mental Health Connection
“There is no health
without mental health.”
Benefits of Physical Activity on Mental
Health
• Moderate-intensity exercise lasting at least 20 to 30
minutes produces an increase in the level of
endorphins in the blood that leads to an enhanced
feeling of mental wellbeing.
• Endorphins are the body's natural pain reliever
• People who participate in continuous exercise enjoy
one of the most effective stress therapies available.
Page 30
Physical Activity as Mental Health
Promotion: A look at the evidence
Decreasing Symptoms of Mental Illness
• In children and adolescents, one review shows that
physical activity may improve symptoms of depression,
anxiety and improve self esteem (Biddle & Assare,
2011)
• In adults 18 and over, exercise seems to improve
depressive symptoms in people with a diagnosis of
depression (Rimer et al, 2012)
• In older adults, one systematic review demonstrates
improvements in mood through physical exercise
programs for those with depression (Blake et al, 2009)
Promoting Mental Health
• Physical activity, sport and exercise is positively
associated with mood, emotion and psychological
wellbeing (Biddle, 2000; Fox, 2000; Macauley and
Rudolph, 1995).
• Physical activity can also produce changes in well-being
through improved physical self-perception (Fox 2000)
• In older adults, one systematic review found that
exercise and physical activity programs enhanced the
well-being of older adults (Windle et al 2008).
Impacting the Determinants of Mental
Health
Recall that one
determinant of
mental health
is
social
inclusion
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Exploring Community
Resources
Best Practice Guidelines for Mental
Health Promotion Programs
Purpose: Guidelines define best practices for MHP initiatives
• CAMH; Dalla Lana School of Public Heath (U of T); Toronto Public Health
• Segmented populations by life stage & context
• Infuse MHP into existing / new initiatives (including physical activity
programs)
Each guide includes:
• Best practice guidelines & supporting theory
• Resources to plan/implement MHP initiatives
• Exemplary programs
• References
Best Practice Guidelines for Mental Health
Promotion Programs: Children &Youth
• Address risk & protective factors,
including determinants of health
• Intervene in multiple settings; use
multiple interventions; involve multiple
stakeholders
• Focus on skill building, empowerment,
resilience
• Establish caring relationships
• Provide comprehensive support systems
• Address policy & advocacy
opportunities
• Demonstrate sustainability
• Ensure initiative is culturally
appropriate,
equitable & holistic
Best Practice Guidelines for Mental Health
Promotion: Older Adults 55+
Older people 55+ years; spans 3-4
decades
Several changes that affect majority of
older persons:
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retirement
changes in income levels
physical changes
changes in social support
networks
Eleven (11) best practice guidelines
First guideline:
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Identify & address a specific
population
for your program/initiative
CSEP’s Physical Activity Guidelines – Early Years
www.csep.org
CSEP’s Physical Activity Guidelines - Children
CSEP’s Physical Activity Guidelines -Youth
CSEP’s Physical Activity Guidelines – Adults
CSEP’s Physical Activity Guidelines –
Older Adults
CSEP’s Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines –
Early Years, Children & Youth
YouThrive
youthrive.ca
• Bilingual web-based resource for leaders in
communities and schools across Ontario
who work with youth ages 12 to 19.
• Uses a health promotion approach to
support positive mental health and prevent
risk-taking behaviour among young people.
• YouThrive provides practical information
to:
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Strengthen protective factors and
resiliency among youth.
Build young people’s health literacy – with
a focus on positive mental health and
well-being, and avoiding tobacco use, and
substance misuse.
Address the health inequities that exist
Developed by: Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health, Canadian Mental Health Association,
among groups of youth in Ontario.
Ontario, Ontario Lung Association and Ophea.
Foster youth engagement.
Connect[ED]
www.reallifeonline.ca
• A free web-based resource developed by
Ophea
• Teaches students in Grade 4, 5 and 6 how
to be safer in an ever-changing world of
technology
• Focuses on the development of the
fundamental problem solving and decision
making skills enabling students to make
informed decisions online
• Content focuses on netiquette, online
privacy and security and online
relationships, including cyberbullying
• Includes grade specific video episodes with
directly linked lesson plans and includes
supports for both educators and parents
Evidence-based health promotion:
physical activity and mental health
http://cbpp-pcpe.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
Youth Fit for Life
• 12-week after-school physical
activity program for children aged 512 yrs who are in some form of
after-school care.
• Group meets three times per week
for 45-minute sessions that include
resistance training & cardio in the
form of noncompetitive activities
and cooperative games.
• Once a week, there is training
around interactive, behavioral life
skills (such as goal-setting,
recruiting social support, and
positive self-talk) presented in a
conversational group format.
http://66.240.150.14/intervention_pdf/en/389.pdf
Senior Health and Physical Exercise (SHAPE)
Project
• Part of research trial to
determine impact of physical
activity on quality of life of
adults 65 and older.
• Program involved leader-led
walking, three time/week for
6months and involved 582 older
adults.
http://66.240.150.14/intervention
/657/view-eng.html
Conclusion: Why Mental Health Promotion
and Physical Activity is a good “fit”
• Research shows that there is a connection between the
physical activity and positive mental health and some
evidence supporting the role of PA in decreasing
symptoms of MI
• Evidence also shows that physical activity has a role in
promoting mental health
• The body of literature on the role of physical activity on
promoting mental health is still emerging, however
examples exist of evidence-based programs with this
focus
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Reflecting on our
Current Practice
Head, Heart, and “Sole” Self Promise
• An Idea I had…
• A feeling I experienced …
• A step I will take…
Contact Us
parc.ophea.net
parc@ophea.net
Monica Nunes
CAMH Resource Centre
monica.nunes@camh.ca