Join the Food & Mood Academy for an online webinar featuring Associate Professor Felipe Schuch.
Physical activity and exercise play a critical and increasingly recognised role in protecting and improving mental health.
A growing body of high-quality evidence shows that physical activity can reduce the risk of developing common mental disorders and that structured exercise can improve symptoms and broader health outcomes among people living with mental illness. Despite clinical guidelines increasingly recommending physical activity and exercise as part of comprehensive mental healthcare, they remain underused in routine practice. Many clinicians also report limited training and confidence in discussing, recommending and supporting physical activity, particularly when patients experience symptoms such as fatigue, low motivation and reduced self-efficacy.
This webinar provides a clear, evidence-informed overview of the role of physical activity and exercise in mental health, drawing on landmark observational studies, clinical trials and meta-analyses at the forefront of the field.
It will explore how physical activity can help prevent and treat mental health conditions, the potential mechanisms underlying its effects, and common myths surrounding its safety and effectiveness. Importantly, the webinar will discuss how clinicians can address barriers and begin integrating physical activity into routine care in ways that are person-centred, achievable and scalable.
This webinar is designed for clinicians across disciplines who want to translate evidence into everyday mental healthcare, as well as anyone interested in better understanding the evidence and practical application of physical activity and exercise in mental health.
There will also be time at the end to have your questions answered by our experts.
What will you learn?
- Understand the role of physical activity and exercise in the prevention and treatment of common mental health conditions
- Examine the biological, psychological and social mechanisms that may explain its mental health benefits
- Understand why physical activity and exercise remain underused in mental health settings despite growing evidence and guideline support
- Consider practical ways to respond to fatigue, low motivation, concerns about safety and common misconceptions about exercise
- Practical integration strategies to initiate person-centred conversations, provide appropriate recommendations and incorporate physical activity alongside current mental health care
Who will you learn with?
Associate Professor Felipe Schuch graduated in Physical Education from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in 2008, obtaining his master’s degree (2011) and PhD (2015) in Medical Sciences: Psychiatry from the same institution. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), where he coordinates the Research Group on Physical Exercise and Mental Health and supervises master’s students in the Postgraduate Program in Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences. Dr Schuch is a member of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry’s Task Force on Lifestyle Medicine for Depression and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force on Nutrition and Exercise. He was recognised by Clarivate/Web of Science as a Highly Cited Researcher in Psychology and Psychiatry for five consecutive years, from 2020 to 2024. He is an Associate Editor of the Jornal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria and Mental Health and Physical Activity and serves on the Editorial Board of the Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria.
Dr Tetyana Rocks is Director of Deakin University’s Food & Mood Academy, and a senior research fellow who leads the translational activities within the Food & Mood Centre. Dr Rocks is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with extensive experience in professional education.
Moderated by Phelia Harrison, Associate Nutritionist, Chef and Communications Manager at the Food & Mood Academy.
Contact us at foodmoodacademy@deakin.edu.au if you have any questions.
This is a free event to attend, however we gratefully accept donations of any value to support our ability to host free events. Donate here.
Want to dive deeper into Lifestyle Medicine or Nutritional Psychiatry?
The Food & Mood Academy, free online course: Food & Mood has been updated for 2026 with new resources, evidence and content. Sign up for free now.
Explore accredited CPD courses developed by your presenters and hosted online by FutureLearn:
- Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health Services: Life and Mind accredited by RACGP
- Introduction to Nutritional Psychiatry: Nutri-Psyche accredited by RANZCP and BSLM