ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – During Mental Health Awareness Month, Southeast Minnesota Park Rx is promoting outdoor activities to improve your health and well-being.
The Olmsted County department is a collaborative initiative partnering with healthcare providers, parks, and community organizations, one being Rochester Public Schools (RPS).
It’s an elective class part of Park Rx programming, exposing students to outdoor activities. Throughout the school year, students take part in weekly activities like fishing, canoeing, and snowshoeing. Recently, RPS high school students stepped out of the classroom and into nature at Chester Woods to go fishing.
Staff who work with the students said through data collection, they’ve noticed positive progress.
“They feel better, they sleep better, and also, they are more excited to come to school on the days that they have the programming,“ said Christa Seymour, a public health nurse with Olmsted County Public Health.
A population health specialist with Olmsted County public health said mental health and loneliness concerns are growing across the country.
Park Rx staff say nature is a non-traditional approach to improving mental health, and they hope this programming encourages people to get outside.
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