To want to get gym membership on the NHS

[lucyellensmum]

Our local swimming pool does GP reffered memberships and fitness programs. I suffer with depression and anxiety - i used to love the gym but i cannot afford it or justify the time away from DD. If i could get this at a reduced rate i could ask my mum to have DD for a couple of hours a week just so i could get back on track - i want to come off of ADs but cant do so without an outlet. Has anyone any experience of this?

In the US Our medical insurance will reimburse you for gym membership. Also if you link you supermarket club card, they will give you money back on vegetables

Your post is a bit contradictory, you don't want to be away from DD however if tax payers are paying your gym membership then all of a sudden you're ok with it and can get your Mum over?

Oh ffs how did I not realise this is from 2008

Hello @Missb00. How's your eyebrows?

Most Local Authorities run weight loss programmes which l as to reduced cost gym membership for a year or so. You get referred by your GP. You have to commit and they monitor to see if you are eligible for the next level. Have you looked at your Council's website? Ours was called Apples & Pears, so that kind of thing.
What about all the free Stop Smoking programmes? I think MH issues should qualify. Good luck

I don't think it matters that this is an old thread; it's still an interesting debate.

I'm completely on the fence.

Pros:

1. It would be beneficial to a lot of people.
2. The majority of people with depression seem to be either overweight or underweight anyway so it could kill two birds with one stone (no stats or proof for that idea, it's personal experience/observation)
3. it could save money on ADs and counselling.

Cons:

1. Depression is so often minimised. People who are debilitated by it are often suspected of skiving work, being melodramatic scroungers etc and told they should just 'go for a walk/run' to feel better. If we did free gym memberships for depression I think we run the risk of sanctioning that viewpoint and further crushing and humiliating vulnerable people.
2. Gyms are pretty isolating, cliquey and intimidating in my opinion. I was a member for years and never made more than polite small talk with anyone (even that wascrare). Whereas my Dance Studio feels like a second home/family.
3. Gym prescriptions could become an excuse not to provide the medication or counselling that many people need so desperately.

The NHS don't give away gym memberships, the referral scheme is for a set duration, mine was 1session per week for 8 weeks, hardly a gym membership, and I had to pay, (a slightly reduced day rate)

Oooo Reow! how I've missed you and your leggings x

@Missb00 I'm wearing them now :-)

Dress overtop today though! I'm classy.

LucyEllensMun

I realise these messages are all really old however I wanted to share my own experience. I have Anxiety & Depression and have suffered these illnesses since my early teens as in my teens I realised in a sex education class I’d been sexually abused as as a young child. I found exercise was a positive outlet for me and 2 years ago when my depression came back from a break off my anti depressants. I suffer from anxiety like yourself and as I find it hard to trust people in the open my doctor suggested the gym on the nhs at the time I turned it down as my depression was bad to the extent I didn’t want to leave the house but I am since under my local gym. It’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of if exercise is positive therapy for you counselling costs just as much on the nhs I think people think that comes free. The nhs definitely do it so get on board and forget the negative hate you get in here these people are all probably claiming child tax credits and they don’t see that as swiddling the system. Depression is a massive problem I hope you are feeling much better in recent times. All the best x

I agree with this programme. Although I also believe that you should be using it at least three times a week or lose it. We treat many health related illnesses, and they cost the NHS millions. Attempting prevention makes sense to me. Still annoys me that my private health doesn’t include a rebate for gum memebership. I would have thought anyone attempting to move more would help.

Somebodies messaged me saying stop commenting on this thread ... errr I do what I like!!! freedom of speech so how’s about if you don’t like it go find a different thread

This is exactly why the NHS is on its knees

Why should you get the gym paid for. Pay for it yourself or GO FOR A WALK - that's free!

Do you get paracetamol on prescription too?