Hundreds of people ran and walked on paths in Edmonton’s river valley Saturday morning to support women’s mental health.
The SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Run for Women raised awareness and funds for the Reproductive Mental Health Program at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women.
“It can be incredibly serious. About one in four women after pregnancy experience some form of depression and that can be very dangerous for them and their family,” Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said.
“Ask for help because it’s there for you. Events like today raise awareness but they also raise funds to provide some of that support.”
READ MORE: These 3 groups are at ‘high risk’ of mental health issues in Canada
A total of $218,000 was raised during the event, according to organizers.
The event is the only female running race series in Canada and helps mental health initiatives for women across the country.
Event organizers said because women are more likely to develop depression than men, raising awareness about the issue is critical, and Saturday’s run is important in providing assistance.
“It’ll be supporting our mental health programming, so that would be both on the clinical side that care for the women as well as the research around how we can do better care for these women going forward,” Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation president Andrew Otway said.
READ MORE: Major depression is on the rise in youth, especially teenage girls
Studies show aerobic exercise that raises heart rate for at least 25 minutes can have the same effect on your brain as anti-depressant drugs.
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