Walk off Depression..?

Hello I am currently studying to be a personal trainer I graaduate in the fall:) I am also a survivor of severe depression and I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason.. I feel that god intends me to use my proffession and experiences to help others... exercise ( and doctors) have changed my life... walking has helped me drastically.. I would like to start a program in my hometown that meets about 2-3 times a month to "walk off depression" and to let others know they are not alone and just come together and I would like to have guest speakers and would provide answers to any excercise questions.. or weight management.. This will all be free excent donations.. any suggestions?? what do you think? I just really want to make a difference and if you help just one person not feel alone it would be worth it!

I think this is an EXCELLENT idea. Exercise is critical for anyone especially someone suffering from depression. The only suggestion I can make is that you determine not to try to advise people against taking medication for depression. While exercise is important, clinical depression is an organic disease that many people can not beat without professional help and medicaton. By the way....I am also a "survivor" of severe depression. I beat it with therapy, exercise and medicaton. best wishes Source(s): Yahoo search "The Last Temptation of George Petrie"

Wow that is a great idea...May I make one small suggestion though? How about "Walk with Depression"? There are many of us battling major depression due to PTSD and other mental health illnesses that won't allow us to walk it "off".
Just one gals opinion!! Hope it works
If you're located in my hometown, I'll join your group. This is a great idea. When I went through my divorce, my Dr. advice me to walk. I was severely depressed too. Walking gets the blood pumping and fresh air in you. Go for it and good luck.
It sounds like a great idea however you need to take into account that well many of us suffering from depression have No desire to get up let alone get out.
I know personally I hate even having to deal with people in person. Maybe you could start slow and have a group get to know one another online then meet at a park locally and go from there.
Maybe it is just me having a abusive background and having trust issues that go hand in hand with the depression but this would be something I would be more apt to join in on then just finding an announcement and going off to meet a lot of strangers.

I do think it is great idea and really believe the same as you that all things happen for a reason. I have been through a great deal in life and use my experiences to help others as well. It makes me feel I have not wasted a whole lot of my life and gone through all that for nothing when I use it to help others.
Sounds great. My suggestion would be to schedule the walk 4-5 times a week, and schedule the guest speakers separately from the walking times.
Also, have a very small flier "disclaimer" to hand out to people to protect yourself.
Hi, well done for overcoming your depression and you are right - exercise can really help.

Take a look at the page in the sources box below for some interesting information regarding exercise and depression - there is an interesting video there too which backs this up.

I think it's great that you want to give something back to others.

I hope it all works out for you and your clients.

Good luck!