The Pedestrian Council of Australia has announced a new initiative for Walk to Work Day, partnering with the Black Dog Institute to spotlight the mental health benefits of walking.
The annual campaign, now taking place at the start of the year, will focus on encouraging Australians to incorporate more walking into their daily routines, not just on the event day.
Pedestrian Council chief executive officer Harold Scruby said the partnership with Black Dog Institute was a natural fit.
“We are thrilled to partner with Black Dog Institute. Given the benefits a simple walk can have on mental health issues like anxiety, depression and stress – we hope this simple reminder will go a long way in getting Australia’s working population to walk more, not just on Walk to Work Day, but every day,” he said.
Black Dog Institute fundraising director Laura Edwards said workplaces play a crucial role in supporting employee wellbeing.
“Engaging in exercise has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of depression, including major depressive disorder, with studies finding that walking for an hour a day can reduce the risk of major depression by up to 26 per cent. This is because exercise promotes positive changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation and new activity patterns that support calm, focus and overall wellbeing,” she said.
This year’s campaign encourages individuals, workplace teams, and businesses to not only participate in walking activities, but also fundraise for the Black Dog Institute to support mental health research, education, and support programs.
The revamped Walk to Work Day will take place on 27 March, with opportunities for Australians to get involved through group walks, walking meetings, and personal or team step challenges in the lead-up to the event.
