At Positive Steps Outdoors we help you take preventative steps, promoting positive mental and physical wellbeing.
As a Social Enterprise (profit with a purpose) our efforts are focused on the people we serve.
Rates of anxiety and depression are 25% greater in NI than in the UK.
20% of the NI population indicating a possible mental health problem.
40% of people in NI are not meeting the guidelines for physical activity.
41% of employees experienced poor mental health.
51% cite poor mental health caused by work pressures.
Average costs to employers per employee of poor mental health is £1,684
Mental health is a cause very close to my heart. All of us can have mental health issues and anyone, at any time, can be vulnerable to poor mental health. Being active, connecting with others, learning, being mindful and giving back are proven ways to support positive mental health.
Increasing evidence that greenspace therapy provides positive physical and mental health outcomes
Spending two hours in nature per week means consistently better health and wellbeing outcomes.
Engaging with natural environments is associated with better wellbeing than if activity is taken elsewhere.
Nature ‘connectedness’ is linked positively with improved wellbeing, quality of life and educational performance.
Nature ‘connectedness’ is associated negatively with mental distress. Connecting with green spaces also correlates with a lower potential use of medication for depression.
Return on investment of workplace mental health interventions by employers is at least £5 for every £1 invested.
Positive Steps Outdoors does not provide professional mental health therapy or counselling. We appreciate that mental health issues can be complex, and that some days can be tougher than others. To access information specific to mental health awareness and support we recommend the following:
Public Health Agency’s ”Minding Your Head” website. In particular you can access a directory of services in your area that help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. There is also information about services offering advice/support on a range of issues that can have an impact on your mental health such as: alcohol, bereavement, disability, drugs, eating disorders, gambling, housing, illness, mental health, money worries, relationships, self-harm, sexuality, stress, suicide, depression and abuse.
Action Mental Health provide information for those that need urgent help. They also offer a range of mental health services and counselling.
AWARE, our mental health mentor, are a charity providing information on depression and offering a ‘talk to us‘ facility and wider support services. They also provide educational mental health and wellbeing programmes into communities, schools, colleges and workplace settings.
For more general advice on staying healthy we recommend you take a look at the Take 5 steps to wellbeing initiative.
Your generosity helps us fund our store of basic walking equipment for those that have none, enable transport for those for whom this is a barrier to access and reward our quality leaders to ensure great events.
