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To recognise World Suicide Prevention Day today, we wanted to highlight the benefits of exercise in terms of mental health. One doctor from Liverpool tells her story on how regular BMF outdoor fitness classes helped her deal with mental health issues after coming close to suicide.
Dr. Katherine Buchanan suffers with depression and credits BMF for saving her life:
“Prior to going to university, I loved keeping fit. I came to Liverpool in 2007, and that marked a serious change in my life. A year later my mood dropped, and I felt suicidal. After a few months I was completely struggling with life, and I stopped exercising. Despite training to be a doctor, I failed to realise I was depressed and very ill.
“My parents found a special offer for BMF in a national newspaper, and told me about it. I wasn’t keen, so my Dad said he would pay for a few months. I staggered along to my first session on a very snowy January, in my shorts! I donned the blue bib and survived, and actually enjoyed it! I went again in the snow, where we dragged tyres up a hill and sledged down. And that was it - I was hooked!”
“Four and a half years later, with various counseling, CBT and medicines, my depression is much improved. However, above all those treatments, BMF has been the most helpful thing I have done. I’ve made amazing friends, done two big charity events, and I’m now a proud green bib wearer.”
“BMF has made such a big impact on my life, and I don’t know where I would be without it. I wish BMF was available on the NHS for people struggling with anxiety and depression. It’s certainly changed mine and many others lives for better. I go to BMF saying that finishing every class is an achievement, and I’m grateful to the instructors at BMF Liverpool for pushing me, supporting me and giving me some great memories. It is more than exercise to me, I would go as far to say it has saved my life.”
Garry Kerr, Head of Operations at British Military Fitness said: “Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their lives, whether it's preparing for a job interview or managing a household. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in nearly every country in the world and, while a low level of anxiety can be a useful motivating force, in some cases it can take over your life.”
Garry concludes: “There are many people who have suffered with mental health issues and share similar stories to Katherine. Thankfully, she took the positive steps to living her life more comfortably with her mental illness and we are so pleased to see the fantastic impact BMF has had on her life. We are pleased to be raising awareness of mental health with World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th September and want to offer everyone a free pass to come along and give a class ago…we guarantee you’ll be hooked just like Katherine!”
Anyone wanting to try a free class should visit https://www.britmilfit.com/try-bmf-for-free to claim their trial session. For more information about British Military Fitness, please visit www.britmilfit.com
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