Abstract
Mental health care policies call for health-promoting and recovery-oriented interventions, as well as community-based programs supporting healthier habits. The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals facing mental health challenges experienced participating in tailored exercise at a community-based activity center, and what role tailored exercise could play in supporting an individual’s process of recovery. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with nine adults experiencing poor mental health who engaged in exercise at the activity center. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using systematic text condensation. Participants spoke about the community-based program being a safe space where they could “come as they are” (Theme 1). Taking part in the program was “more than just exercise” and allowed them to connect with others (Theme 2). The experiences they gained from exercise also helped with other areas in life and provided them with a safe space to build their confidence towards the “transition back to the outside” (Theme 3). We summarized the findings into one overall theme: “inside vs. outside”. In conclusion, a community-based activity center acted as a liminal space that aided mental health recovery by allowing participants to feel safe, accepted and supported, as well as experience citizenship. The findings highlight the need to treat mental health challenges as a contextual phenomenon and creating arenas for community and citizenship in society.
Highlights
Most people experience mental health challenges during their lives, either by facing a mental health challenge themselves or by family members or friends being affected
It is interesting to note that the participants in the current study described exercise as “the best medicine” due to the experienced mental improvements and symptom relief following exercise, which is frequently reported in research on physical activity for people with mental health challenges [23,24,25,26,27,28]
The current study explored how individuals facing mental health challenges experienced participating in tailored exercise at a community-based activity center, and what role tailored exercise could play in supporting an individual’s process of recovery
Summary
Most people experience mental health challenges during their lives, either by facing a mental health challenge themselves or by family members or friends being affected. According to the WHO, the burden of mental health challenges is growing, with tremendous impacts on health as well as major social and economic consequences in all countries of the world [1]. When mental health challenges arise, the condition affects the whole person and is reflected in the person’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and social interactions with other people [1,2]. Facing mental health challenges has profound impacts on many domains in life, such as impaired functioning in everyday life and reduced quality of life, as well as dropping out of school, studies and working life [2,3,4].
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