Running for a Cause Close to the Heart
Back in 2017, while training for a marathon as part of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, Tracy decided to make his miles count even more. He chose to support The Royal—a decision that felt both obvious and deeply personal.
“The Royal stood out to me immediately. Mental illness often doesn’t get the attention it needs because of stigma. I wanted to help change that,” he says.
Tracy also runs in honour of someone special: Helen O’Brien, a close family friend who dedicated over 50 years of her life to The Royal, supporting patients with compassion and care.
The Royal is dedicated to expanding what is possible for those living with mental illness and addiction. From groundbreaking research to innovative treatments, the team provides patients with greater access to better care, sooner. That includes delivering care through a holistic approach that considers the many factors influencing a person’s mental health, including sleep, nutrition, relationships, and physical activity.
“Regular physical activity can be helpful for mood and anxiety symptoms, though developing this healthy habit can be difficult,” says Dr. Kelsey Collimore, a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Investigator in The Royal’s Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program. “Research suggests that exercise may increase the production of feel-good chemicals like endorphins, reduce stress hormones, and may enhance sleep quality. Engaging in physical activity may also help reduce patterns of withdrawal or avoidance, which can make mood and anxiety symptoms worse,” she says.
