Fitness as a Component of Mental Health Intervention

The social work profession is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) further predicting that health will be the fastest growing practice area for the social work profession and estimating that nearly half of all U.S. social workers by 2024 will be employed in this area (BLS, 2016). All social workers can benefit from learning about health, as it is a key factor in every practice setting and for all individuals, no matter the age or experience (Bywaters & Napier, 2009). Having such knowledge and bridging together mental and physical health can only benefit the clients we serve.

Studies dating back as early as the 1990s show that clients who engage in physical activity as a mental health intervention have a plethora of benefits, including increased interest in social gatherings; more apparent sense of purpose, feelings of empowerment; and, most notably, improvement in their mental health symptoms (Maier & Jette, 2016). Whereas the aforementioned study covers some of the benefits of bridging together mental and physical health, social workers and mental health clinicians gaining an understanding of holistic health can add to the overall well-being of their clients, with perhaps the most profound benefit being a reduction in obesity.