AusLeisure

A Geelong based trial, to be run in partnership between Deakin University and Barwon Health’s Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services (MHDAS), will deliver an eight-week, group-based, telehealth program, designed to treat COVID-19 related depression.

In addition to Deakin University and Barwon Health, collaborative partners in the study include Monash University, the University of the Sunshine Coast and the University of New South Wales.

The powerful potential of food and physical activity to calm the mind and restore mental well-being will be tested in the study looking for a sustainable treatment for depression among people feeling distressed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research lead Associate Professor Adrienne O’Neil, Director of Deakin’s Heart and Mind Research and Deputy Director of the Food and Mood Centre, said the ‘CALM’ program was based on well-established evidence for the use of diet and exercise as a treatment for mental health conditions.

Associate Professor O’Neil advised “lifestyle targets are the cornerstone for prevention and management of diabetes and heart disease, but not currently for mental disorders.

“There is good evidence diet and exercise can complement standard care, but we don’t know if they are as good as standard psychological care.

“This is the first study to test this approach directly with psychotherapy in a real-world mental health setting. This evidence is critical if we are to see lifestyle-based care become an embedded part of mental health care in the future.

Associate Professor O’Neil added “we know the mental health of Australians has deteriorated since the COVID-19 outbreak, especially for young people and women who have been overly represented in job losses and overburdened with child care.

“Also, the recent Royal Commission in Victoria’s Mental Health System identified critical gaps in health care for people who experience moderate or enduring mental health issues – the so-called ‘missing middle’.

“We hope this will provide future treatment options for people with mental health concerns.”

The trial has been funded through a Medical Research Future Fund COVID-19 Mental Health Research grant. It will directly evaluate the health impacts and the cost-effectiveness of the CALM program in comparison with established psychotherapy in 184 patients presenting to Barwon Health emergency or MHDAS.

Patients will be encouraged to continue taking any prescribed medication throughout the study.

Associate Professor O’Neil highlighted that “in Australia, we spend $9.9 billion on mental health services every year. In Geelong, we have seen mental health-related presentations spike over the past three years.

“CALM aims to provide a mental health program that is easy to access through existing mental health services and is cost-effective.”

Related Articles

8th June 2020 - Deakin’s Global Obesity Centre reconfirmed as world-leading research centre by WHO

28th May 2020 - Deakin University research shows Health star label misleading to consumers

5th May 2020 - Deakin University launches survey to assess how Australians are coping without sport

3rd April 2020 - Deakin University research highlights the need for physical activity during social isolation

29th November 2019 - DeakinACTIVE recognised for contribution towards student wellbeing and safety

12th December 2018 - Deakin University launch first report that ranks Australian obesity policies on value for money

7th November 2017 - Deakin University again ranked world’s best for sports science

10th April 2015 - Deakin University study into the health benefits of parks

18th September 2020 - Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 encourages New Zealanders to reimagine wellbeing

14th September 2020 - VIC Active considers Government’s mental health support package to be tokenistic

14th September 2020 - 15 new COVID-19 mental health clinics open in Victoria

4th September 2020 - Australian Golf Industry Council releases TV production to promote mental health benefits of golf

3rd September 2020 - Snap Fitness aims to raise more than $50,000 to support mental health initiatives

21st August 2020 - Belgravia Foundation rolls out mental health training for Belgravia Leisure staff

27th July 2020 - NZREPS encourages employers to consider mental and physical wellbeing of staff

16th June 2020 - ESSA highlights the importance of movement for men’s mental health

20th February 2020 - Mental health initiative accepted as an official Rugby League World Cup 2021 program

6th January 2020 - Researchers put a value on national parks’ impact on mental health

11th October 2019 - YMCA aids young people during mental health month

17th May 2019 - Belgravia Leisure recognised for championing access, inclusion and combating mental illness

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.