Mental Health Does Matter, and How Running Helps

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so you’ll likely see plenty about the topic over the next several weeks. But for many folks – runners included – the struggle, as the saying goes, is real; and it can’t be confined to one calendar month. 

Nearly 20-percent of us will have a diagnosable mental health condition in the course of a year. That’s as good a statistic as any to remind us that taking care of our minds is as vital as caring for our bodies. For runners, most of us understand and appreciate the connection between movement and our mental health. Running is personal, powerful, and deeply intertwined to how we feel inside and out. 

The Science and Spirit of Running for Mental Health

Cliff Anderson is a runner and a certified mental health counselor. He knows firsthand how running can boost happiness and resilience. “Strenuous exercise is good for physical and mental health overall,” Anderson explains. “The key is doing something you love. If you enjoy running, you’re more likely to stick with it, and that consistency is what really supports your well-being.”

Running offers more than just a physical outlet. It’s also a social one. “Having someone to chat with on a long Saturday run is really sweet, and we know social connections are one of the best things for good mental health,” he told us. Research backs this up: people with stronger social ties generally have better mental health outcomes.

Running also builds resilience in surprising ways. “People who exercise hard can keep their hand in a bucket of ice water longer… it’s a classic pain tolerance test,” he said. “It’s not just about physical toughness; it’s about learning to cope with discomfort, which translates to life’s challenges too.”

Anderson faced his own battle with cancer a few years ago and is currently recovering from a broken collarbone. When running is taken out of the equation, he admits it’s not easy. “That was probably one of the biggest struggles for me. I went from loving running around my neighborhood to struggling to walk up a little hill. I had to coach myself: ‘OK, I can’t do what I did before, but I can walk. I can do what I can.’” His advice: have a broad range of coping strategies, from other forms of exercise to seeking inspiration or connecting with friends.

Finding Community and Courage

For Lindsey McGee – a runner, run club leader, and mental health advocate – the Charlotte running community has been a lifeline. “The community I’ve found through running has been my support during runs, it’s a built-in chat session, and you get to know people through that,” McGee told us. “The friends I’ve met through running have become my outside-of-running friends as well.”

McGee is frank about her own struggles with depression and anxiety. “I am going through a significant depression episode right now, and I’m OK with admitting that,” she said. “If I’m not at run club, I am less than productive. I’m having a lot of my own personal challenges right now.” Her openness is intentional: “I stood in front of 80 plus people and said, ‘I deal with depression and anxiety and I’m on meds daily.’ Me talking about it provides an opportunity for others to realize they are not alone.”

That kind of openness didn’t come easily. McGee told us she had to, “hit rock bottom,” before she could be that free to speak out loud about her own struggles. And, she said, it’s the support she felt being part of the Charlotte running community that gave her the courage to be that vulnerable. 

That vulnerability has created a ripple effect. “Every single time I am open about it, I get a very positive response. People come to me and say, ‘Thank you for saying it. I’m not brave enough to say it.’” McGee’s goal in all of it is simple but pretty profound: “Be the person you needed when you were younger. If we get to save one person from hurting, that’s what I’m here for.”

Creating Space for Healing 

Erica Meisner is the founder of the Charlotte-based nonprofit Mental Health Matters. She transformed her passion for running into a platform for awareness and support. Her organization hosts the Mental Health Matters 5K, an event designed to bring the community together and break the stigma around mental health. The event isn’t just about running-it’s about connection, support, and reminding participants that no one has to struggle alone.

“I felt like it was something that was needed,” she told us. “Something that we don’t really see often enough in the community in bigger ways, and as a runner It was just something that I kind of fell into.” 

Meisner wasn’t always a mental health advocate. She said it was something she learned in college from her own personal experience, struggling with her own anxiety. And, she wasn’t always in the nonprofit space, either. But she’d always been an athlete and a runner, so putting the two together just made sense.

“I do think there’s already a connection with running and mental toughness and mental strength as runners,” she said. “I feel like a lot of us run just for our own mental health and clarity.”

Communities like run clubs or other groups can provide an environment for runners (or anyone else) to find the comfort to begin a conversation about their own struggles.

“Knowing that people don’t have anyone to talk to is terrifying, and I have been there multiple times and even in the last two years,” added McGee. “I want other people to realize that depression can affect anyone even a person that is the happiest, most optimistic person.”

And knowing when running isn’t enough is crucial. “If emotional problems are interfering with your ability to function or enjoy life, that’s a sign to seek professional help,” Anderson emphasizes. “Exercise is most effective for depression, especially for those who don’t already have a routine. But it’s not a cure-all, and sleep, social support, and professional care all matter.”

Takeaways for Runners and Friends

• Running can be a powerful tool for mental health, but it’s not a substitute for professional help when you need it. If you notice emotional struggles interfering with your life, don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor or mental health professional. 
• Community matters. Whether you’re a runner, walker, quilter, or maybe book club is your thing… connecting with others can provide accountability, support, and friendship. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple check-in.
• Being open about mental health can help others-and yourself. Sharing your story, as McGee has found the courage to do, can create space for others to seek help and feel less alone.
• Find what works for you. As Anderson advises, “Have a broad range of coping strategies.” If running isn’t possible, try walking, playing music, reading or simply reaching out to a friend.
• Look for a supportive space to move, connect, and heal. Consider joining or volunteering at local events like the Mental Health Matters, or Still I Run, to be part of a larger, supportive community. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember: you (and they) are not alone. You’ll find folks within the Charlotte running community who know and understand. And should you need more than a friend, a run, or an ear to listen, there are pros who can guide you on your own path to healing.