Scaling Up Trauma- and Violence-Informed Physical Activity for Mental Health and Well-being

Despite the overwhelming evidence that physical activity promotes overall positive health, there are limited trauma-and-violence-informed health promotion strategies directed towards equity-owed populations. Women experiencing multiple marginalization’s face numerous barriers to participation in physical activity and are at higher risk for negative health outcomes. Engaging in regular physical activity can have numerous benefits such as improving mental health, decreasing depression, anxiety, and other health conditions which may be important to improving outcomes for those who have experienced trauma and violence. Women who experience(d) trauma and violence may be a population who can physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally benefit from engaging in trauma-and violence-informed physical activity (TVIPA) interventions. This research proposes to increase participation in physical activity for women living in marginalizing situations who tend to be underrepresented, and systematically excluded, in physical activity. In collaboration with St. Mary’s Home, strategies to increase access to/improve awareness of the potential physical and mental health benefits of TVIPA will be explored. In addition, TVIPA will be leveraged to create support networks among mental health and other essential service providers to enhance the delivery of their services through the development of a social learning space.

Faculty Supervisor:

Francine Darroch

Student:

Partner:

Mental Health Research Canada;St. Mary’s Home

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Carleton University

Program: