Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

When people come to Odyssey House for help and enter our residential rehabilitation program, almost all have neglected their physical health for some time. The daily toll of addiction can have an enormous physical and mental effect on a person’s body. Even if a person has made the transition onto medicated drug replacement (pharmacotherapy) such as Methodone, withdrawal from this also has a significant effect on physical health.

Exercise can help residents of our program in a physical way but it can also be an effective way to relieve mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Given that approximately 90% of the people that come to us have co-occurring mental health issues, we see this approach as an effective and essential component of our resident’s rehabilitation.

We were delighted recently when The Geok Wong Charitable Trust presented us with a cheque to substantially refurbish the gym at our Residential Rehab’. We have worked with The Geok Wong Charitable Trust for a number of years and they have been very supportive of our work.

David Pate, Odyssey House Ambassador and former Odyssey graduate, and owner/operator of Rock Solid Personal Training is helping us to determine the best equipment required to meet the needs of the residents. Dave is also helping us to make the most effective use of the space involved.

(Pictured left to right: Hugh Morrison (Geok Wong Chartiable Trust); Janet Beaumont (Director, Development OHV); Phillip Webb (Geok Wong Charitable Trust); Dr Stefan Gruenert (CEO OHV).