Page 15 - QARANC Vol 17 No 1 2019

Mental Health Fun Run
On 03 August 2018, a Mental Health Fun Run was organised for a Commander’s PT session at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS). The idea developed as something different that could be done as a health promotion event, as part of the role of the deployed Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN). After gaining support from the Practice Manager, SMO, PTI staff, UFTO and RSM, Commander BATUS approved the event. The event was made possible by the support and organisation of temporary and permanent staff from various departments within BATUS.
The MT section provided a shuttle service to transport personnel from camp to Ralston Village where the event was held. The PTI staff arranged the run and put on a humorous ‘story
telling warm up’ which helped set the scene from a normal PT session. The RMP kept the road blocked off for the duration of the run so the path was clear. The RLC set up a tent offering water bottles or juice for refreshments following the run. Staff from the medical centre and welfare were present on the day joining in the run, offering support and most importantly providing photography skills.
The fun run was an untimed 5K loop. The theme for the run was fancy dress or a blue t-shirt, blue being the chosen colour as it promotes calmness and is good for insomnia, stress anxiety and anger. Every day, statistics were placed on BATUS Part One Orders outlining the common mental health presentations in the Armed Forces, symptoms of mental illness and
services available for support. Similar information was also presented on a mental health promotion board at the run. Donations were collected for Soldier On charity, which runs programmes for professional development and prioritises members of the Armed Forces, particularly those who are medically unfit for work. We raised an impressive $543.09 and all funds have gone to the charity based in the UK.
Overall, this was a successful event demonstrating teamwork, promoting fitness, raising mental health awareness and all for a good cause. It is hoped this will be the first of many Mental Health Fun Runs to take place in BATUS.
Corporal Paris Wilson-Johnson Community Psychiatric Nurse
THE GAZETTE QARANC 13
Fun times at BATUS! Mental Health Fun Run