Sorry for the delay, friends. If you follow us on Instagram, you may have seen the IG Live about why we started Run Over Depression. In the wake of our recent loss, we have postponed this week's planned interview with 2552(!)-day run-streaker Karma Park, and instead will share some valuable resources and information that I discussed yesterday in my first attempt at going Live.
Run Over Depression was the brainchild of Jim Shoopack, who also blogs at Mental Health Musings (be sure to check that out) and speaks publicly about mental health on podcasts worldwide.
Back in 2005, Jim had read that the endorphins released after running could greatly contribute to mental wellness. Having experienced a bout of depression himself, he decided to try running a marathon (and to recruit his friends). It's a funny thing anout running: People love it or hate it, with very very little gray area. I know I was skeptical at first! But as a believer in science, and someone who has faced my share of adversity, I jumped on board. Run Over Depression's first marathon, Steamtown, will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and permanently cement my personal disdain for hills! 😉
To date, we have run countless marathons, half marathons, and shorter races of all distances, together and separately. We look to divert the focus from time, to a focus on the experience of running with other likeminded people. Some of our favorite sayings are "slow still gets you there!" and "A 12-minute mile is just as far as a 6-minute mile."
The statistics on depression are staggering. According to the WHO, depression affects 264 million people worldwide, and 800,000 people die by suicide each year. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in people aged 15-24; young people, who have not even begun to make their way in the world, robbed of their chance to shine by an illness. And while mental health patients cost the most of any other demographic, on average, 2% of national healthcare dollars are allocated to mental health services.
COVID has made things worse.
A very recent article from Harvard suggests that COVID infection, among its many side effects, can have longterm repercussions on mental health. This, of course, suggests a biological component to mental health/illness. So much for telling someone to "just get over it", eh??
So here we are. A year into the pandemic that was supposed to have a flattened curve after 2 weeks of social distancing.
It's no surprise to many that mental health is declining. The past year has undoubtedly been worse than even the year before, the one when two of my best friends died on the same day and I realized once and for all that I was in the wrong career for my own mental health (separate post to come!).
Still we run.
Still we encourage others to 'run'.
Whether 'run' means actual running; whether it means dance, yoga, acrobatics, walking, biking, or skating; we want you to do it. Do it all, do some; do it every day, or when you can.
We love you.
You matter.
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