Search is an adult community mental health agency that serves individuals who suffer from a variety of mental health difficulties.  Individuals can access the appropriate service(s): Information and Referral, Community Support, Counselling, Crisis Response Service and Activity Program.  Search for Fitness is a physical activity program, developed by the Activity Program, to engage members and provide them with opportunities to experience the advantages of healthy living through fitness and proper diet.

Search for Fitness is designed to encourage consumers to experience a variety of physical fitness activities to increase their flexibility, endurance, strength and balance.  The program is based on Canada’s Physical Activity Guide (PAG) and incorporates a walking/hiking component, yoga/stretching, and opportunities for swimming and cycling.  Partnering with existing resources in the community such as our local YMCA and the Seniors Centre provides additional resources and equipment.  Nutrition education in partnership with the Diabetes Education Clinic is a major component of the program to help consumers make healthy choices. The program takes place at a variety of locations including our agency, the YMCA, the Seniors Center, in the community, local hiking trails and the local mall.

The program operates 5 days a week and involves 20-25 consumers engaging in their choice of fitness activities.  Base fitness levels are established for each participant.  Consumers are encouraged to increase their activity to 3 days per week for 30 minutes.  The second phase of the project will increase the goal to include 60 minutes of activity on 3 of the days.  Involvement is monitored and charted.  Participants are evaluated to a baseline monthly. Consumers work in both small and large groups and have access to individual coaching from a paid consumer and/or staff that are assisting with the program. Education on the importance of activity and how to exercise safely is part of this project.  All participants must have medical clearance from their doctor to participate in the Search for Fitness program.

As people change their physical activity it is also important that they engage in a healthy and balanced diet.  In addition to the fitness program we educated people to make healthy choices when shopping and encourage a proper diet.  The Diabetic Education Center (DEC) is working in partnership with this project to provide professionally trained, nutritional education to our participants.

Search for Fitness makes the program sustainable by pursuing new financial streams and by:

• Linking every consumer with a volunteer in the community
• Helping the consumer to establish a relationship with community partners
• Engaging existing support workers (ie: Community Support Worker, ACT worker or a field worker from Homes for Special Care) to motivate, acknowledge and encourage consumers with their success
• Facilitating monthly motivational gatherings open to ongoing and new participant

For the Search for Fitness case study, see the Minding Our Bodies Newsletter Issue No. 3, page 2-3.

Contact Information:
Vicky Stevens, RSW
Executive Director
Search Community Mental Health Services
21 Richmond Street
Strathroy, Ontario N7G 2Z1
Phone: 519-245-0120, ext. 232
www.searchcommunityservices.ca

Resources

Visit the resource directory for materials created by Search Community Mental Health Services, Search for Fitness.

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