Brendan Kelly (left) and Deb and Timothy Pieri at The Well Being LLC. Deb is an elementary school teacher and a personal trainer at the facility. Photo courtesy of Michigan Live.

National Association of Social Workers member Timothy Pieri, MSW, and fellow social worker Brendan Kelly combine exercise with counseling to help people who are trying to overcome depression, addictions and other mental disorders, according to this Michigan Live article.

Pieri and Kelly believe exercise is just as effective as using medications such as antidepressants. They claim clients at their The Well Being LLC  outpatient therapy service in Grand Rapids have lower relapse rates.

“Ultimately, exercise makes our brains healthier and our bodies healthier,” Kelly said. “(Neurotransmitters) serotonin and norepinephrine are extremely important to our mental health. Instead of popping a pill to actually get up and do something, the benefit to exercise is you feel you accomplished something.”

Social workers help clients live healthier lives and overcome mental health issues. To learn more visit NASW’s “Help Starts Here” Mind and Spirit Web pages by clicking here and Health and Wellness Web pages by clicking here.