After a successful run in Sydney and other locations in New South Wales, a new mental health program will start up in Canberra next year.
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Run through the YMCA, the Brightside program is an initiative aimed at improving people's wellbeing through physical exercise.
The program will operate at both the Gungahlin Leisure Centre and Lakeside Leisure Centre in Tuggeranong and will start in late January.
As part of the referral-only program, participants with mental health issues are given personalised exercise programs over a 60-day period.
During that time, participants spend one-on-one time with fitness professionals as well as unlimited access to fitness facilities at both leisure centres.
The YMCA's NSW program co-ordinator Debbie Court said physical exercise and improving physical health could have a large benefit on also improving a person's mental health.
"There's statistics out there that prove that physical exercise has an enormous benefit to people who have a mental health issue," she said.
"There's also often lots of medications people take to control or assist mental illness that also results in people putting on weight and increase their appetite, and by exercising, it allows for those individuals to take control of both mental and physical health."
While Brightside is yet to begin in Canberra, there have already been three referrals to the program, with more expected to follow in coming weeks.
Originally developed in Sydney in 2009, it has spread to 11 other sites.
The two Canberra locations will be the first time Brightside has gone outside of NSW.
While 60 days might be a long time for someone to take part in a mental health program, Ms Court said it's all about establishing a wellbeing routine that will last.
"It takes a person about three weeks to create a habit, and therefore, we're giving them a little bit longer during those 60 days to educate them about an ongoing exercise plan," she said.
"There's a focus in exercise as a management tool or recovery to their mental illness.
"When you exercise it produces endorphins in your brain and can make you feel more energetic and more empowered and can set the tone for the rest of the day."
In the last year alone, more than 260 people have signed up to Brightside after being referred.
Ms Court said she's hoping to see the same effect on people throughout the ACT.
"Canberra is a space that hasn't got a program like this, so I can imagine the demand will be strong once the word gets out about it," she said.
