Outdoor lifestyle brand Kathmandu has joined forces with Beyond Blue to challenge more Australians to get ‘out there’ to improve their physical and mental health.
The collaboration will see Kathmandu become the official partner of #teambeyondblue challenge events. Kathmandu’s contribution will directly fund 4,166 calls to the Beyond Blue Support Service, which has seen a significant spike in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing the collaboration at a first-of-its kind zipline event next to Sydney Harbour, Kathmandu Brand CEO Reuben Casey said the partnership would get more people out there experiencing the benefits of the outdoors while supporting the Beyond Blue Support Service.
“A core part of Kathmandu’s renewed purpose of improving the wellbeing of the world through the outdoors is to encourage more people to feel the transformative power of being out there in nature to live their best life,” Casey said.
“Kathmandu has always known that the outdoors changes our brains for the better and the science shows that when we spend time out there our stress goes down, our empathy goes up and we become more creative and happier.”
“That means we act differently. Nature makes us more happy and open and free and fun. It’s a beautiful truth that Kathmandu wants to celebrate and what better way than partnering with Beyond Blue, an organisation committed to helping people achieve their best possible mental health.”
Despite the recognised benefits, Kathmandu’s research of 1,000 Australians found more than 43% average just one hour or less in the outdoors each week, a figure well below the recognised minimum two hours a week. A study of 20,000 people published in the Journal Nature found people required at least 120 minutes in green spaces to feel the positive physical and mental health benefits.
Kathmandu’s study uncovered people who spent more than two hours out in nature in the last week were 50 percent more likely to report high levels of happiness, creativity and optimism, and were twice as likely to report high levels of energy.
The research also found 86 percent of Australians wanted to spend more time outdoors because it makes them feel relaxed (39%), happy (20%), refreshed (14%), free (11%) and balanced (8%).
Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman thanked Kathamndu for its support, with partnership donations going towards the Beyond Blue Support Service.
“Spending time enjoying Australia’s great outdoors can have a positive effect on our mental health, so Beyond Blue’s partnership with Kathmandu is a natural fit as we work to support everyone in Australia to achieve their best possible mental health,” said Ms Harman.
“Every dollar will go to the Beyond Blue Support Service, which is staffed by mental health professionals who are ready to provide free, immediate and confidential counselling, advice and referrals online or over the phone. We thank Kathamndu for their support.”
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3PM – 12AM AEST or email responses within 24 hours).
The new Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Service is available 24/7 at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au. Its dedicated phone line, staffed by mental health professionals briefed on the pandemic response, is now open on 1800 512 348.