1. Mental health disorders are widely considered as major public health problems. Mental health disorders and
conditions such as anxiety/depression largely contribute to sick leave and are the most common form of
mental health problems. Anxiety and depressive disorders are usually coupled with behaviours such as
withdrawal from social situations and extreme passiveness. Mental health is imperative in regards to basic
day to day human functioning. Those affected by poor mental health suffer greatly and can struggle with
living a professional lifestyle, dealing with family, work colleagues and a whole host of other problems that
can be taken for granted by those who have good mental health.
Improves cognitive functioning
Alleviates Anxiety
Increases energy levels
Improves self-worth
Less irritable towards other people
Better overall happiness
Improves quality of sleep
Aerobic Training:
Duration: ~30 minutes (ideally more where
possible) can be accumulated over the course
of a day
Intensity: Moderate to vigorous
Mode: Can be left up tothe individual to
increase exercise adherence (cycling, jogging,
power walking). Boxing can help release
anger and alleviate stress
Frequeny: 3-4 days per week
Persistant sadness, anxiousness
Antisocial, doesnt go out anymore
Withdrawal from family and friends
Feeling overwhelmed, guilty, irritable and
frustrated
Lacking confidence
Tired all the time
Loss/change of appetite
Insomnia (sleeping too little or too much)
Significant weight gain or weight loss
- Costs to the individual and society as a whole
are enormous.
- Depression costs theAustralian economy
roughly $12.6 billion per year in total
- Over $7.6 billion (or $332 per person) was
spent on mental health services in Australia
during 2012-13
- Expenditure on specialized mental health
services in hospitals was $330 million between
2012-13
- Accounts for approximately 6 million
working days of lost productivity
Anxiety disorders affect 1 out of every 7
Australians. Worry, fear, panic and stress are
some of the main symptoms of anxiety.
These emotions in most cases are normal and
part of being human however if these
feelings occur too often it can be debilitating
and extremely distressing. Since anxiety
involves fear of something this will often lead
to those affected avoiding situations or
things that trigger the fear.
- Talks of self harm
- Talk of suicide
- Strong feelings of hopelessness or being
trapped
- Unusual preoccupations withdeathor dying
- Behaving recklessly
- Visiting or calling peopletosay goodbye
- Getting affairs inorder
- Irrational statements "Iwantout" or
"Everyonewould bebetter off withoutme"
- Suddenswitchfrom being severely depressed to
happiness and calmness
- Excessivedrinking/drug taking
Resistance Training:
Duration: anywhere between 20-40 minutes
Intensity: Moderate to vigorous
Mode: Can be left up tothe individual to
increase exercise adherence
Frequeny: 2-3 days per week
(it is important to start small, for those who
are mentally ill any exercise is better than
none whether it be aerobic or resistance
training)
Individuals with poor mentalhealth
experiencing illnesses such as anxiety and
depression can find it extremely difficult to
leave the house for daily tasks let alone to
exercise in a public place. It is important to
havethem in an environment wherethey
perceive themselves as feeling comfortable
and safe to increase participation in exercise.
- Visit your local and trusted GP so you can
discuss helpful options to overcome mental
health issues
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
factsheets/index.cfm
How exercise can improve mental health (anxiety and depression)?
Benefits of exercise for mental health
Economic Costs
Anxiety
Important Warning Signs
Limitations to exercise
Exercise Recommendations
Symptoms of depression and anxiety
Help Services/Hotlines
What is mental health?

2. References
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A. Deslandes. Exerciseandmental health:Whatdidwe learn in thelasttwenty years? FrontiersinPsychiatry.2014.vol. 5
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J. Roy and S. Schurer. Getting stuck in the blues: Persistence of mental health problems in Australia. Health Econ. 2013. vol. 22, pp.
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Mindspot. About Anxiety & Depression http://mindspot.org.a u/about-anxiety
Beyondblue Support Service. https://www.beyondblue .org.au/resources/have-the-conversation?&utm_source=goo
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