Dissertation

Emplaced, Relational and Therapeutic? An Exploration of Parkrun’s Role in Mental Health Recovery

Ashdown-Franks, Garcia

2022

Overview

Community-based physical activity (PA) is beneficial for individuals with mental health conditions. In an explicit link between parkrun and mental health, the Bethlem Royal Hospital in South London was established in May 2019 as the first-ever site of a parkrun on the grounds of a National Health Service (NHS) trust. With the increasing use of PA as a multimodal treatment of mental illness, parkrun participation may have clinical implications. However, engagement in parkrun by individuals with mental illness is unknown. Therefore, the current program of research sought to understand the parkrun experiences of those experiencing mental health conditions. Study 1 explored discussions of parkrun in electronic mental health records. The findings were organized into 4 themes: i) More than Just a Run; ii) Clinicians as Gatekeepers; iii) The Role of parkrun in Recovery; iv) When parkrun Isn’t Always for Everyone. Study 2 examined the health, social and wellbeing impacts of parkrun engagement among runners and volunteers living with mental health conditions. It was found that those who run and volunteer, compared to those who only run, interact with significantly more individuals at parkrun, and feel more connected to their communities. Further, the benefits of parkrun participation are greater for those who run and volunteer, compared to those who only run. Using ethnographic methods, Study 3 aimed to capture the experiences of those involved in the Bethlem parkrun. The findings illustrated the emplaced and relational experiences of parkrun engagement. Given the context of the global pandemic, the Bethlem parkrun allowed for experiences of collective healing for many, while others were excluded or unable to engage in these practices. Collectively, this work may provide further understanding of the individual and collective experiences of parkrun. Such understandings may ultimately be of interest to both the parkrun organization and the Bethlem Royal Hospital. Furthermore, the findings regarding stigmatizing and discriminatory experiences may provide evidence for parkrun to explore ways that they may better welcome and accommodate individuals experiencing various mental health conditions and recoveries. These findings can be used to make parkrun a more welcoming and inclusive place for those experiencing mental illness.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Kinesiology / Mental health / Public health
• ISBN: 9798357551726