Head For Health

‘Head for Health’ focuses on promoting mental wellbeing through physical activity. In partnership with Wolverhampton PCT, the project will offer the local community the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a physically active lifestyle by providing a variety of programs across the city.

Located at the Wolves Indoor Training Dome, Aldersley, the sessions run every Monday and Thursday from 2-4pm. The sessions are completely FREE and are used to try and encourage Mental Health Service users and their carers to become more physically active. This service is open to anyone over the age of 16 who just wants to have fun, meet new people and get fit at the same time.

Studies have shown a strong link between Physical activity and the management of mild-to-moderate mental health diseases, especially depression and anxiety. Mental Health is something that we all have and is as important to look after as Physical Health. What ‘Head for Health’ offers is the opportunity to maintain and improve both at the same time.

‘The case for exercise and health has primarily been made on its impact on diseases such coronary heart disease, obesity and diabetes. However, there is a very high cost attributed to mental disorders and illness and in the last 15 years there has been increasing research into the role of exercise a) in the treatment of mental health, and b) in improving mental well-being in the general population. Sufficient evidence now exists for the effectiveness of exercise in the treatment of clinical depression. Additionally, exercise has a moderate reducing effect on state and trait anxiety and can improve physical self-perceptions and in some cases global self-esteem. Also there is now good evidence that aerobic and resistance exercise enhances mood states’ Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, UK

For more information contact Peter McCarter or Gavin Jones on 01902 687039 or petermccarter@wolvescommunitytrust.org.uk