you on your path to wellness, through classes and community.” Visit the Longmont Recreation Center at 310 Quail Road in Longmont online at ci.longmont.co.us/rec/ or call 303.774.4800.
journey.” Wellness is not a new concept, but pairing this concept with mental health is fairly new. Sprague explains that in 2007 the Federal government published a “National Wellness Action Plan” with the goal of improving the
life expectancy by 10 years for people with mental illness. People living with mental illness have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, smoking, inactivity, poverty, homelessness, unemployment
Mental Health Partners
Wellness is a key to mental health, according to Mental Health Partners. “At Mental Health Partners we define wellness as not the absence of disease, illness and stress but instead the presence of purpose in life, involvement in satisfying work and play, meaningful relationships, a healthy body, safe and healthy living environment, and happiness,” says Debra Sprague, Program Director of Wellness. “Wellness can be … a strategy to address a mental health challenge and to support someone in their ongoing recovery and health
Spring 2015
Attendees experience many different oppor tunities for wellness at Windows to Wellness. Photo courtesy of Longmont Recreation Center.
LongmontMagazine.com
LONGMONT MAGAZINE 29