The local member for Gympie and an Ambassador for the Black Dog Institute, David Gibson today encouraged people in the Gympie Electorate to participate in Exercise Your Mood Week being held across Australia from 11 to 19 September 2010 to underline the importance of exercise for maintaining good mental health.
 
Funds raised during the campaign will support the work of the institute which is a not-for-profit, educational, research, clinical and community-orientated facility offering specialist expertise in depression and bipolar disorder.
 
Funds raised during the week will go toward expanding its services nationally.
 
Mr Gibson said that, with one in five Australians suffering from a mood disorder, it is important that people of all ages participate in the campaign.
 
Individuals or groups can organise their own activity or participate in one of the many Exercise Your Mood community events planned for the week in September.
 
Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, said today that research had shown the benefits of exercise for people with mood disorders; sighting the fact that depression is the number one cause of disability in the world.
 
The professor said exercise-based interventions can significantly reduce depression compared to no treatment.  For example, in older adults, research clearly shows that 16 weeks of regular exercise can be as effective as an antidepressant, although each influence mood in different ways.
 
The mood benefits from exercise include the release of endorphins (described as the body's natural 'feel good' chemicals), interruption of the 'inactivity cycle' of depression, distraction from worrying, changes in the brain's chemistry, reduction in the levels of stress hormones, improved sleep, fitness and energy, and an increased sense of control while promoting social interaction.
 
Sports stars and community leaders have been recruited as ambassadors to lend their support to community initiatives promoting the Exercise Your Mood campaign while the Institute also have available a wide range of merchandise for participants.
 
To find out more about the campaign and how you can be involved, visit the Black Dog Institute website, www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

David Gibson MP, Member for Gympie
06 September 2010