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are needed to help inactive individuals take the first steps to realize their full potential . it in an even more concerning way ,” notes IHRSA president and CEO Liz Clark . “ The health and fitness industry has a crucial role to play in reversing

Building Your Mental Health Messaging and Programming this public health crisis . With support from the IHR- SA Foundation , fitness facilities are able to better

If you ’ re ready to amplify your advocacy for the inclusion of exercise in mental health intervention , assist members and consumers who are struggling with anxiety , depression , and loneliness or who just want to improve their mental wellness .” the IHRSA Foundation offers guidance on how to maintain this message at your facility . Working with the John W . Brick Mental Health Foundation , the IHRSA Foundation has developed best practices for promoting the relationship between exercise and mental health . My team at Matrix saw an opportunity to enhance our total solutions promise via a free support package available at MentalHealth . MatrixFitness . com , which we modeled after the IHRSA Foundation ’ s suggestions .

“ It ’ s important to recognize that skills for mental well-being are something that everyone needs to learn , not just people who are at risk for mental health problems ,” adds Cassandra Vieten , Ph . D ., executive director of the John W . Brick Mental Health Foundation . “ There are many approaches to boosting mental well-being , and they should be introduced early in life . We ’ ve created what we call the ‘ ecosystem of mental wellbeing ,’ which is an array of practices and arenas that contribute to mental well-being .”

Wellness The Key Role of Exercise Woman Stretching Gym Matrix Limited Use Column jpg The IHRSA Foundation also published a survey of fitness professionals , Perspectives on Supporting Mental Health & Well-being in Health & Fitness Facilities : A Survey of Fitness Professionals . This helps us understand their perspectives on the role

The practices Dr . Vieten references can be found in the Move Your Mental Health Report , a John W . Brick Mental Health Foundation study based on three decades of research on the connection between exercise and mental health . of fitness centers in optimizing mental health and well-being , readiness to address mental health , and current practices addressing mental wellness .

Click here to access free resources from Matrix to enhance the implementation of tactics addressed in the IHRSA Foundation ’ s Supporting Mental

“ We ’ ve had a serious mental health crisis on our hands for a while , and the pandemic has elevated

Health & Well-Being : A Toolkit for Health & Fitness Centers .

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