Mind in Motion Walks Pair Trail Hiking With Mindfulness and Connection in Atikokan

On a recent walk around Thanksgiving, a group on an Atikokan trail was asked to do something simple: walk quietly for 30 to 60 seconds, breathe, and think about what they were thankful for. Phones were put away. It was one small moment in a program called Mind in Motion, which uses group hikes to support mental health.

Mind in Motion is run through the Fort Frances branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. It began locally in 2022 under the name Mood Walks, after the branch adopted the initiative and adapted it to the community. The walks bring people together on local trails on a regular basis.

Patricia Dunnet, a geriatric mental health worker with the branch, said the design is aimed at physical activity and social contact, particularly for people who may be at risk of mental health difficulties or who are isolated. It also encourages participants to build a closer connection with the natural environment. The program generally runs six weeks with a cap of 12 participants. Attendance shifts with schedules and weather, but organizers say interest is typically strong.

This year brings a new partner. Northwestern Ontario Métis Child and Family Services has joined for the first time, so clients from both organizations can walk together. Cloey Brigham, a prevention worker with that organization, called it "really positive" and said participants have been able to meet new people and possibly form friendships. She noted that some clients may not feel confident taking on a 40-minute trail walk alone, which makes the group an important part of the program. Dunnet agreed that the group aspect creates motivation.

Brigham has felt the effect herself. She described arriving at one walk after a difficult work meeting, feeling disappointed and weighed down. She said it would have taken her much longer to move past those feelings without the walk, and that by the time she returned to the office she was no longer dwelling on it. Past participants have described similar results: clearer minds, worries set aside, and a sense of being motivated and refreshed.

Mindfulness is built in on purpose. Along with the quiet gratitude walk, the group practises box breathing. Dunnet said time outdoors can reduce stress, improve memory and creativity, and support strength, endurance, balance and coordination. The walks also help people grow more comfortable on local trails, which may make them more confident exploring on their own. "People do learn a few tools to manage," she said.

Organizing the walks is an added part of Dunnet's job, but she said she has come to love it. "When I'm doing it, it's the best part of my day," she said, adding that she is very passionate about it.

The program is also adding an educational element. A Métis citizen and knowledge keeper from the Atikokan Métis Council is expected to join the group and speak about the plants and mushrooms participants encounter on the trails, including their uses and medicinal purposes. Organizers say this connects the outdoor experience with Métis knowledge and culture.

Jackie King, a psychogeriatric resource consultant with the Fort Frances branch, said the program combines people connecting with each other, connecting with nature, getting physical, being mindful, and simply enjoying local trails. The hope is that those benefits last beyond each walk, whether as a new friendship, more comfort on the trails, or another tool for when life feels overwhelming.