This event is cancelled until further notice.

Speaker: Dr Justin Richards

Event venue: Old Government Building Lecture Theatre 3 (GBLT3), Old Govt Building, Pipitea Campus

The rapidly emerging evidence base linking physical activity to mental health has been accompanied by “blanket” statements of efficacy from advocates. Various policy agencies and funding bodies internationally have subsequently invested resources into physical activity interventions with the intention of positively influencing mental health. Although there are numerous examples of successful intervention, these “blanket” statements fail to recognise the unique mechanistic pathways linking physical activity and mental health. This presentation explores the nuance behind effective physical activity promotion for mental wellbeing.

Speaker bio

Dr Justin Richards previously completed a D.Phil in Public Health at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on physical activity and mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations. This includes ongoing work in low- and middle-income countries as well as marginalised groups in high-income settings. He has a particular interest in the rigorous evaluation of physical activity interventions and has previous experience within the UN system.

Affiliations: Adjunct Research Fellow – Health Services Research Centre and Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University Wellington; Senior Research Fellow – School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney; Research Associate – Auckland University of Technology; Academic Lead – Sport New Zealand.

Webcast: To join by webcast go to https://vuw.zoom.us/j/747238888. The page will update once the webcast begins.To see the speaker as well as the slides, click out of full-screen mode.

For further information, please contact the HSRC administrator at HSRC@vuw.ac.nz.