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Chester County announced the launch of \u201cFresh Air, Self-Care Chesco,\u201d a campaign that encourages residents to practice effective self-care for better health and wellness through easy outdoor activity.<\/p>\nChester County announced the launch of \u201cFresh Air, Self-Care Chesco,\u201d a campaign that encourages residents to practice effective self-care for better health and wellness through easy outdoor activity.<\/p>\n
Introduced at today\u2019s Commissioners\u2019 Meeting, \u201cFresh Air, Self-Care Chesco\u201d brings together the knowledge and services of the County\u2019s Mental Health\/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Department (MH\/IDD), Health Department, Parks + Preservation, and Planning Commission. It highlights the many public outdoor settings throughout the county.<\/p>\n
Chester County Commissioners\u2019 Chair Marian Moskowitz said, \u201cStudies have shown that a ten-minute walk can boost energy, clear the mind, and raise spirits. So we want people to get outside \u2013 the \u2018Fresh Air\u2019 piece \u2013 and take a daily ten-minute walk \u2013 the \u2018Self-Care\u2019 piece. Doing more than that is great, but just a little fresh air activity can truly help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFresh Air, Self-Care Chesco\u201d was borne out of recommendations made by the Chester County Youth Mental Health Coalition, a countywide initiative led by PA State Representative Christina Sappey. The coalition, comprised of state legislators, county officials, school administrators, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), local higher education institutions, and behavioral health providers, focused on youth mental health concerns identified by school district superintendents. One of these concerns led to establishing a family and community partnership workgroup, led by the CCIU, whose focus included ways to lower the risk of depression and promote faster stress recovery.<\/p>\n
County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, a member of the team whose recommendation led to the \u201cFresh Air, Self-Care Chesco\u201d initiative, said, \u201cWe have an amazing number of outdoor resources and activities across the whole county that everyone can tap into \u2013 and all are free to use. For example, the Chester County Trailfinder Guide is an interactive map showing every trail and who owns it \u2013 State, County, local municipality, or a homeowners association. Type in your home address, and the Guide will show trails literally right outside your front door.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs outdoor activities and resources increase in the run-up to the spring and summer months, this will be reflected on the Fresh Air, Self-Care Chesco web page,\u201d added Commissioner Maxwell.<\/p>\n