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SALT LAKE CITY — In a recent article published in Runner’s World, author Mark Remy challenged what has long been a popular belief by runners: that running takes the place of therapy.
Not denying the mental health benefits of running, Remy wrote in part, “Running is wonderful. Cathartic, cleansing, clarifying. Rejuvenative. Revelatory. At its best, running can be transformative and transcendent. Even, yes, therapeutic.”
It was the misuse of the term “therapeutic,” however, that led Remy to tackle this subject head-on.
“Referring to running as your therapy is one thing. Declaring that a ‘running buddy’ can or should substitute for professional mental health care is wrong. Worse, it's reckless,” Remy wrote.
Making mention of the recent suicide of comedian Robin Williams, the author referenced posts on social media: “‘Poor Robin. If only he'd had a good running buddy...”
Remy then drew on his own experience with depression, and mentioned one such “running buddy” whom he “loved like a brother.” He called him a “confidant,” saying that they shared many personal things with one another and that they “trusted each other implicitly.”
Even within the bounds of this friendship, Remy said he did not share everything.
Referring to running as your therapy is one thing. Declaring that a 'running buddy' can or should substitute for professional mental health care is wrong. Worse, it's reckless.
–Mark Remy
"He wasn't equipped to deal with the truly dark stuff," he said of his friend. "Not even close. Even if he had been, I wouldn't have wanted to burden him with it. That's what professionals are for, which is why I sought professional help. … Psychiatrists and psychologists aren't just a bunch of glorified ‘listeners.’ They're professionals who are trained to help sick people get better."
Remy went on to encourage runners who are struggling with depression and mental health issues to seek professional help.
“Please don't suggest that there's never a need for clinical help … that you can just ‘run off' your depression or anxiety,” Remy wrote. “People need to hear that it's OK to need help, and to get it.”
To read the article in its entirety, go to runnersworld.com.
Arianne is a mother of six and lover of all things, even the common house fly. Her down time is spent running the mountain trails of the Wasatch Mountains and beyond. Contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com or on her Facebook page, A Mother's Write.
