Employers urged to back mental health through walking

AUSTRALIANS are being encouraged to walk, run or roll as part of their daily routine on March 27, with Walk to Work Day returning in a refreshed format focused on mental health and workplace wellbeing.

The national initiative, now in its 27th year, encourages people to build simple walking habits into the working day – whether that’s walking all or part of the commute, talking a lunchtime walk or holding walking meetings – while also fundraising to support mental health outcomes.

The Pedestrian Council of Australia this week announced the new-look campaign will support the Black Dog Institute.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chief executive Harold Scruby said the partnership marked an important evolution of the long-running event.

“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.

About one in five Australians experience a mental health annually, and almost half do not seek professional help.

Research by the Black Dog Institute places the cost of mental illness on Australian workplaces, through lost productivity, absenteeism and staff turnover, at more than $39 billion each year.

Black Dog Institute fundraising director Laura Edwards said regular exercise, including walking, can play a powerful role in supporting mental 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,” she said.

“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.”

Ms Edwards said workplaces were well placed to help foster mentally healthy environments.

“Initiatives like Walk to Work Day are a simple and cost-effective way for organisations to prioritise wellbeing while supporting positive, sustainable habits with their employees and the results are a happier workplace with significant savings to your bottom line,” she said.

As part of the refreshed campaign, individuals, teams and businesses are encouraged to fundraise together in the lead-up to March 27, supporting the delivery of research, education programs and digital mental health tools through the Black Dog Institute.

Mr Scruby said active transport remained one of the easiest ways to embed walking into everyday life, with benefits extending beyond mental health.

“There are so many benefits to walking more every day,” he said. “As an added incentive, we’re asking Australia’s workforce to come together to raise funds for Black Dog Institute, using Walk to Work Day as a catalyst for positive change.”

For more information, including how to take part and fundraise, head to walk.com.au