The University of Toronto Mississauga Health & Counselling Centre (UTM-HCC) provides medical and psychiatric care, personal counselling and health education to University of Toronto students. The UTM Health & Counselling Centre and the UTM Department of Physical Education, Athletics & Recreation collaborated to form the Running Through Depression group. With permission, this program was modeled after the "Teen Run Group Therapy" program developed at the Credit Valley Hospital.

Running Through Depression is a group for University of Toronto students experiencing overwhelming feelings of anxiety, sadness and/or depression. This 12 week learn-to-run program offers an opportunity for students to learn a new strategy to manage feelings, to increase self-esteem and to regain a sense of control over their lives. Participants run with a supportive group made up of volunteers from the UTM community, a personal counsellor from the Centre and other students with similar goals.

The running group meets twice a week for a group run and a running-related presentation. The program incorporates brief (max. 30 minute) running-related presentations. Examples include nutrition, injury prevention, cross-training, stretching, appropriate gear, etc.

A student Peer Health Educator participated in the planning of the program.

Program funding has come from UTM Health & Counselling Centre, UTM Dept of Physical Education, Athletics & Recreation; and Sheridan Mall Running Room.

For more information, please contact:
Chad Jankowski, Health Education Coordinator
University of Toronto Mississauga
Phone Number: 905-569-4534
E-mail: c [dot] jankowski [at] utoronto [dot] ca
Website: www.utm.utoronto.ca/health
 

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