By incorporating a plan for exercise into each client\'s outpatient counseling and treatment plan, therapists at The Well Being Behavioral Health & Fitness Center are able to provide their clients with the support, encouragement, motivation, and accountability that may be missing in their lives. Their clients become healthier mentally, and healthier physically as well.

1. DEPRESSION
An Estimated 1 in 10 U.S. adults report depression!
Depression is a mental illness that can be debilitating to
sufferers. It is important to recognize the symptoms and
find the right balance of therapy and exercise.

2. What is DEPRESSION?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Depression is a medical illness
that involves the mind and body. Also called major depression,
major depressive disorder and clinical depression, it affects
how you feel, think and behave. Depression can lead to a
variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have
trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression
may make you feel as if life isn't worth living”.

3. What is DEPRESSION?
“More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a
weakness, nor is it something that you can simply "snap out"
of. Depression is a chronic illness that usually requires long-
term treatment, like diabetes or high blood pressure. But
don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel
better with medication, psychological counseling or other
treatment”, Mayo Clinic.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175

4. Causes of DEPRESSION
It's not known exactly what causes depression. As with many
mental illnesses, it appears a variety of factors may be
involved. These include:
• Biological differences. People with depression appear to have
physical changes in their brains. The significance of these
changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint
causes.
• Neurotransmitters. These naturally occurring brain chemicals
linked to mood are thought to play a direct role in depression.
• Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones may
be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone
changes can result from thyroid problems, menopause and a
number of other conditions.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=causes

5. Causes of DEPRESSION
• Inherited traits. Depression is more common in people whose
biological family members also have the condition.
Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in
causing depression.
• Life events. Events such as the death or loss of a loved one,
financial problems and high stress can trigger depression in
some people.
• Early childhood trauma. Traumatic events during childhood,
such as abuse or loss of a parent, may cause permanent
changes in the brain that make you more susceptible to
depression.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=causes

6. Recognizing DEPRESSION
Warning signs include:
• Loss of interest in doing things
• Feeling down or hopeless
• Trouble with sleep patterns
• Having little to no energy
• Trouble eating
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Slow speech and motions
• Not feeling like oneself
• Self belittling
• Not wanting to leave the home
http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/

7. DEPRESSION - General Statistics
Who Tends to be Most Depressed?
• Persons 45-64 years of age
• Women
• Blacks, Hispanics, non-Hispanic persons of other races or
multiple races
• Persons with less than a high school education
• Those previously married
• Individuals unable to work or unemployed
• Persons without health insurance coverage
http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/

8. General Suggestions for Treatment
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services
recommends collaborative care, an approach that involves
the collaboration of primary care providers, mental health
specialists and other providers to improve disease
management for adults with major depression on the basis
of strong evidence of effectiveness in improving short-term
depression outcomes.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/

9. Research Shows New Findings
In 2007, researchers from Duke University concluded the
efficacy of aerobic exercise in treating Major Depressive
Disorder was comparable to pharmacotherapy with
Sertraline (Zoloft), a commonly prescribed SSRI.
A 2008 meta-analysis by Wipfli, Rethorst, and Landers of
randomized, controlled trials presents "Level 1, Grade A
evidence" for the use of exercise as an effective treatment
for anxiety disorders.

10. Research Shows New Findings
Research indicates that aerobic exercise increases the brain's
production of brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF),
which is considered to be the "Miracle-Gro" of the Brain.

11. Research Shows New Findings
Harvard Medical School clinical associate professor of
psychiatry John Ratey’s book, “Spark: The Revolutionary
New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” makes sweeping
claims that exercise is the best defense against everything
from depression and attention-deficit disorder to addiction
and aggression, as well as physical ailments such as
menopause and Alzheimer’s disease.
Along with counseling and medications, aerobic exercise
is the third viable option for mental health treatment.
This is a fact supported by a large, and ever-growing body
of research.

12. The Well Being LLC
The Well Being LLC Behavioral Health and Fitness Center is
the first outpatient facility in West Michigan to directly
incorporate exercise into mental health treatment.

13. Counseling Services
In counseling, The Well Being LLC utilizes evidence-based
practices such as Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical-Behavioral
Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, in order to help
address, resolve, or overcome the individual issues and
concerns.
Their therapists offer the same, high quality outpatient
counseling as other local established providers and are
additionally Licensed Master’s Social Workers as well as
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors.

14. Counseling Services
Counseling is essential in finding the root cause behind the
emotional and physical symptoms of depression. Without
addressing the root cause, everything you do would merely
be a band-aid.
The Well Being Behavioral Health and Fitness Center is
client-centered in their treatment. The client's goals and
objectives for counseling are what's most important. The
aim is to provide assistance in their achievement.

15. Incorporating Exercise
Engaging in regular aerobic exercise benefits our physical
health. People who exercise regularly have significantly
reduced rates of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol,
hypertension, and obesity.
They tend to live longer, and enjoy a higher quality of life
during their lifespan. What is not so commonly known is
that regular exercise significantly benefits our mental and
emotional health as well!

16. Incorporating Exercise
Not only does exercise make our bodies healthier, it makes
our brains healthier at the same time!
Simply put, a "healthy" brain is a well functioning brain,
and people with well functioning brains tend to function
well. During the course of our research, we have found the
science behind this phenomenon to be rather difficult to
understand at times, but here are some of the basics:

17. Physical and Mental Benefits
By improving the health of our brains, we enjoy the following
benefits:
We are more able to process, learn, and remember new
information, and are more able to remain focused and on
task. We are less depressed, less anxious, less stressed and
overwhelmed.
We fall asleep more easily and sleep more soundly and
we have fewer cravings or urges to use substances which may
be causing us harm.

18. Physical and Mental Benefits
Exercise increases the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine,
and dopamine in our brains. These neurotransmitters play
crucial roles in how we think and how we feel.
Exercise not only increases the levels of these
neurotransmitters in our brains, it balances them as well.
Exercise elevates the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic
factor (BDNF) throughout the brain. BDNF is very important
to the health of our brain cells.

19. Breaking Down the Barriers
There are many different barriers that can get in the way
of a person engaging in regular aerobic exercise. It could
be a busy lifestyle, financial stresses or an emotional or
mental health issue that may be preventing the
establishment of a regular exercise routine. Many feel
unmotivated, fatigued, struggling with self-esteem issues,
or tend to get anxious in social situations.
Any of these can act as barriers to regular exercise. The
Well Being address these issues in counseling, and seek to
eliminate any and all barriers that are keeping their clients
from improving their overall Well Being!

20. The Well Being Fitness Center
The fitness center is for the exclusive use of the clients of
The Well Being, and is provided at no additional cost.
Every client receives a free, one hour fitness consultation
with a Master's level Exercise Physiologist. During this
appointment, clients are shown how to exercise in a safe,
effective manner, and will develop an Exercise Treatment
Plan that becomes an integral part of their treatment.

21. A Well Balanced Health Plan
A well balanced health plan begins with acknowledging
depression, finding the root cause, and getting the
expertise in mental and physical health to put you on the
right path towards a healthy new outlook on life.
DEPRESSION is treatable and you do not have to be
trapped in DEPRESSION one more day!
The Well Being Behavioral and Fitness Center can help.
HEALTHY is
within your
reach!

22. INSURANCES ACCEPTED
Priority Health, Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Blue Care Network, MESSA
.
Contact Us:
1118 Front Ave. NW Suite #1
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
P: 616.458.6870
F: 616.458.6874
grwellbeing@gmail.com