Werribee Hospital Foundation has launched the 5KOK appeal for local mental health services.
The foundation’s chief executive Leanne Down said that the appeal would take place in October, which is National Mental Health Month.
Ms Down said the appeal was simple and allowed everyone to join in, by fundraising while boosting their mental health through exercise.
“We all have mental health and it’s important to take care of it, just as you would with any other health focuses,” Ms Down said.
“Just because it is invisible to the eye doesn’t mean it’s not important.
“Exercise can really help when it comes to taking care of your mental health.
“It increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates chemicals like endorphins and serotonin.
“It can also help with our moods, anxiety, mental clarity, improve productivity and memory and you can even get a better night’s sleep.”
To participate in 5KOK, choose an activity you would like to do for five kilometres, such as walking, running, cycling, skating, swimming or something else.
Start your tracker – if you have one on your mobile phone, for example – so you know when you’ve reached five kilometres and take a photo at the end.
Afterwards, share your achievement. Be proud and upload a photo of your tracker and/or yourself with a big smile on social media, using #whf5kok as a tag.
Nominate five other people to do the same and make a donation to the foundation at whf.org.au. All donations will go towards helping support patients with mental health services.
