#RunAndTalk to support Time to Talk Day

Reach Out and Run Suffolk, are pleased to be supporting #RunAndTalk an England Athletics campaign, supported by Mind the mental health charity, to improve mental wellbeing through running and to break down the stigma associated with mental health by getting people talking about it. The event follows on from previous successful #RunAndTalk events including in October 2018 in support of World Mental Health Day which saw around 200 organised runs to support mental wellbeing through running.

During the week of 2nd-8th February 2019 we’re encouraging people to run one mile or further and to have a chat with friends, family, colleagues or other runners. This can be done at a time and location of their choice or by joining one of the organised runs at an England Athletics club or RunTogether group.

The event is supported by a network of over 480 volunteer England Athletics Mental Health Champions who are active in affiliated athletics and running clubs and RunTogether groups across England to support those of us who are experiencing mental health problems. The support available includes helping people to start running, get back into running, or continue running as well as to improve the mental wellbeing of their existing members.

The #RunAndTalk campaign aims to improve mental health through running in England by:

• getting people talking about mental health, sharing their experiences and removing stigma
• raising 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

We’re often told that physical activity is good for our bodies and our minds but having a mental health problem can make it difficult to get started, for a number of reasons, ranging from negative body image, or a lack of self-esteem through to practical reasons such as having no one to go with, or not knowing where to get started.

Reach Out And Run are organising a run on 5th February 2019 at 18.30 from Garrison Lane Car Park, Felixstowe. The run(s) will be Approximately 5km and will include options for walking, jogging and running so everyone is welcome whether you are new to running, looking to get back into it or a regular runner.

To register to join us on the run visit https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/ReachOutAndRun

Or for more information contact:

Andrew Outram - ReachOutAndRunSuffolk@gmail.com

The run is supported by our volunteer Mental Health Champions. Our friendly ambassadors Misty, Becks, Gareth and Andrew have lived through experience of mental health problems themselves or through close family or friends and are passionate about improving mental wellbeing through running.

Andrew Outram (Group Leader for Reach Out and Run) said:

“We formed Reach Out and Run following the conclusion of Suffolk County Councils very successful 2018 Great East Run Outreach Programme. Our founding members were all participants and through this programme we all benefitted from improved fitness, health and mental wellbeing. As the programme reached the end, we formed Reach Out and Run, a new community running group, founded on the friendships we created through exercise.

At Reach Out and Run, we are firm believers that through running, you can improve mental wellbeing and we are driven to break down the stigma associated with mental health by getting people talking about it. So please come and join us for our inaugural #RunAndTalk event to support Time to Talk Day.”

Join the conversation on social media using #RunAndTalk.

Search for and join a #RunAndTalk organised run at- www.runandtalk.co.uk  

For more information please contact:

Andrew Outram – ReachOutAndRunSuffolk@gmail.com

Reach Out and Run

https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/ReachOutAndRun