Exercise and Depression
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a wide-spread significant medical condition that deeply impacts emotional well-being, cognitive processes, and behavioral patterns. It's important to note that while depression can be incapacitating, effective treatments are available.
Depression can manifest as more than just feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, it can also present numerous emotional and physical symptoms. As someone who has experienced significant emotional lows, I understand the profound effect it can have on daily life.
This understanding inspired me to create a series of posters highlighting facts about emotional well-being, with a focus on depression, and the benefits of exercise for mental health, inspired from my own experiences.
01
Target Audience
The primary audience I am aiming to reach comprises of individuals who are battling mental health challenges such as Anxiety or Depression.
These are individuals who are in search of effective coping mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, or simply a supportive community that understands their struggle.
Additionally, I am also looking to engage professionals who are actively working within the mental health and fitness sectors. This includes psychologists, therapists, counsellors, personal trainers, and wellness coaches.
02
Goals
By looking to reach out to the professionals, I hope to foster a deeper understanding of the intersection between physical fitness and mental well-being, and inspire them to incorporate this perspective into their practice, allowing for both progression in mental and physical health. With the patients potentially then being armed with the knowledge needed to succeed and stay on a brighter path for the rest of their lives.
03
Design
The concept for this project involves six posters. I've chosen a blend of digital and traditional media for presentation and delivery. This approach caters to those who prefer digital devices or printed mediums like posters, allowing them to consume the information as they wish. The varied formats also expand accessibility, accommodating those who might lack the means to access digital or physical media.
Given the personal significance of the project's theme, my goal is to reach as many people as possible, and this is how I envision that being done.
04
Result
I am generally pleased with the outcomes. The journey taught me various things, from thinking of sourcing digital and physical forms of products, to thinking of organizing and managing production and what that would entail. I also conducted in-depth research on a topic with which I was passionate about, but not deeply knowledgable in, and learned to present it in a visually pleasing way.
The most significant realization and enjoyment though, came from the project's personal relevance, as it related to my own mental health struggles. Fitness became a valuable outlet for said mental health struggles and a positive guide towards happier days. The opportunity to practice design on a topic in which I am deeply invested was a blessing. I hope to have more such opportunities in the future.