Improving mental health through Ohio University's Outdoor Pursuits program

As classes begin in the fall, many students may be experiencing more stress, anxiety and depression. Caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health and being outside in the fresh air and sunshine can have tremendous benefits for both.

“Being in nature can be really good for our mental health. It can help us reduce stress and reduce mental fatigue and improve our mood and self-esteem,” said Eileen Marsal Koch, a licensed professional clinical counselor with the office of Counseling and Psychological Services at OHIO University. “Exercising all by itself is a natural anti-depressant that can help people improve their mood. We have feel-good chemicals like serotonin in our brain that gets activated, and when you combine that with being outside it produces even more endorphins so it can boost your mood even more.”

Surrounded by beautiful hills and rivers and a nearby state park, Ohio University’s Outdoor Pursuits program offers many opportunities for students and faculty to reconnect with the outdoors.

“We have day trips, overnight trips, and even weeklong trips. That can be anything from backpacking to canoeing, paddling, hiking, or climbing. We offer a wide variety of trips,” explained Leanne Chapman, a graduate assistant with Outdoor Pursuits. “We also have a challenge program that consists of a high-ropes course and a low-ropes course at The Ridges, and we have a mobile team-building experience to meet groups wherever they like.”

Students can schedule any of those activities by contacting the Outdoor Pursuits office at 740-597-1396, but if you’re looking for something you can do right away, Chapman said you should check out the climbing wall outside the Charles J. Ping Recreation Center.

“Everyone can come in and check it out. From beginner to advanced, no matter the skill-level you can come try it out. We have shoes and harnesses available to rent for free,” she said.

If you’d prefer to go off exploring on your own, you can save money by renting gear from the Outdoor Pursuits office. From tents to backpack gear and cookware, the office will have everything you need for a fun outdoor experience.

“We want to connect people with nature and the outdoors, but we also want to connect people with other people,” she said.

Off campus, the public library offers a bicycle rental program and the Southeast Ohio History Center offers walking tours. There’s also bikeway that travels all the way to Nelsonville.

More information about the Outdoor Pursuits programs can be found online at https://www.ohio.edu/recreation/outdoor.