A mental health charity in Britain says that an increasing number of GPs are prescribing exercise as treatment for depression. The Mental Health Foundation's recent survey of 200 family doctors in England found that 22% are prescribing exercise for depression - up from 5% in a similar survey three years ago.
Research has shown that exercise can help people with mild depression by improving self-esteem and relieving the feelings of isolation that are associated with depression. Exercise is also known to release endorphins - which make people feel good after an exercise session.
The Mental Health Foundation stress the importance of a holistic approach to depression, saying the doctors should not simply prescribe antidepressants. However, 61% of doctors said that, although they understood the beneficial effects of exercise, they did not have access to an exercise referal scheme. Exercise programmes organised by the Mental Health Foundation are supported by funds from the Department of Health, but are only available in some parts of the country.
Under six new schemes patients are assigned a personal trainer who devises an appropriate exercise regime for them; the results of the schemes are due to be published next year.
The Royal College of General Practitioners says doctors recognise the benefits of exercise in treating mental illness and there is more awareness and increasing evidence that it works.
The Foundation has been campaigning for the last three years for doctors to increase their use of exercise therapy to treat mild to moderate depression.
