Rugby woman sets up Run Talk Run group after experiencing the power of exercise in improving mental health

The group gives people to exercise while talking about their feelings in a supportive and non-judgemental environment
Joanne out on a run.Joanne out on a run.
Joanne out on a run.

A Rugby woman has set up a Run Talk Run group in the town after discovering the huge power of exercise in helping with mental health problems.

The group sees people meet to run for three miles (five kilometres) while providing a listening ear for each member to discuss their feelings.

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Joanne O'Donnell, from Newbold, formed the group after facing her own mental health struggles.

She said: "When I was pregnant with my second child I developed prenatal depression and really suffered with it.

"Although it wasn't picked up at the time, I'm pretty sure I developed postnatal depression with my first baby too.

"It can be really hard having a new baby, I went from working in an office with 150 people to being isolated every day.

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"There's a lot of pressure for new parents to feel like they should be happy all the time.

"Before I experienced it myself I didn't really understand mental health problems, I would have thought, 'pull yourself together'."

Joanne sought medical help and was placed on anti-depressants to aid her recovery.

But last year she began running, and the change in her mental health has been huge.

"I'm now off the anti-depressants," she said.

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"I was talking to my doctor the other day and I told him about the exercise and he said, 'more people need to know that exercise is one of the best natural anti-depressants we have.'

"You might feel like you're dying when you're doing it, but the feeling afterwards is amazing."

"I've lost four stone since I started running and my mental health is so much better."

Recently Joanne found references on social media to 'Run Talk Run' groups and immediately thought they are a brilliant idea.

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She saw that the nearest group to her was in Leamington and decided to take action.

"I spoke to Jess, who founded Run Talk Run three years ago.

"She said to me that it might take a while to take off - but the response so far has been amazing."

Joanne put a post on Facebook and within days had enough responses to see the first group run completely booked up.

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Based on the huge amount of interest, she is now hoping that people will volunteer as leaders so runs across the town on different days of the week can be set up.

"I also want to get it to the point where someone can post on the group, 'I'm feeling a bit down at the moment, can someone come running with me'," she said.

Joanne said all are welcome to come along and have the chance to speak to others in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

"No-one is expected to be an athlete to join the group, our primary focus is mental health. We'll always go at the pace of the slowest person - even it it means going at a brisk walk," she added.

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The group's first run is at 5.20pm on October 22 at the Newbold Recreation Ground.

This run is already fully booked, but residents interested can join the group by downloading the MyCrew app and searching for Run Talk Run Rugby.

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