Clark says IHRSA has created two free toolkits to support operators in designing mental wellness programmes / Photo: shutterstock/Iryna Inshyna
Victor Brick’s report in HCM discussing the findings of the John W Brick Mental Health Foundation’s Move Your Mental Health Report is timely and particularly relevant for the entire health and fitness industry.
Our industry has a crucial role to play in supporting those with mental health issues and challenges, by providing a safe, positive community for consumers to improve their mental wellness through movement.
As Victor notes in HCM, the pandemic has escalated the mental health crisis – the state of people’s mental health and wellbeing has plummeted globally, with one in five US adults (www.hcmmag.com/USadults) and one in six European adults (www.hcmmag.com/Europeanadults) suffering from a mental health issue.
The first step forward in initiating change is to encourage anyone struggling with their mental health to get physically active – go outside, go for a walk, ride a bike, or join your local health club to partake in physical activity with a community of people. Building relationships with those in the fitness community can also combat anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
The increasing public awareness of the mental health benefits of exercise means now is an opportune moment for the fitness industry to step up its services and programmes. For far too long, mental health has carried a social stigma. It’s time for our industry to work together, sharing knowledge and best practice, to normalise mental health and recognise it as another element of overall wellness that needs to be cared for.
Prescribing physical activity to decrease economic burdens Along with improving global mental health and wellness, increasing physical activity levels can relieve worldwide healthcare burdens by mitigating long-term social and economic costs. Research shows that billions could be saved on yearly global healthcare costs if more people exercised more often.
Better health is synonymous with fewer trips to the doctor, fewer prescriptions and medications, and decreases the risk of a number of health issues, including mental health problems.
We wholly believe in Victor’s statement that consumers are seeking support for their mental health.
The demand to improve overall wellness is explicit – the 2022 Mindbody Fitness Trends Report highlights that the top reason respondents say they exercise is to feel better mentally.
Now, thanks to a generous grant from the John W Brick Mental Health Foundation, the fitness industry can help change the way the world treats mental health. The IHRSA Foundation has created mental health toolkits to assist health and fitness facilities when designing initiatives and programmes to address consumer mental health and wellbeing.
Mental health issues aren’t clear cut. Operators should tailor personalised programming to fit the individual wellness needs of every consumer.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
