Physical Activity as a Potential Tool in Therapeutic Works of University Mental Health Professionals in the United States

Background: Students’ yearly visits to university counseling centers have increased, concurrent with an increase in diagnosed anxiety and depression. Physical activity (PA) has positive effects on mental health. PA referral may be an option to utilize PA in university mental healthcare. However, clinicians’ perceptions and capacity of PA referral need to be established before implementation. Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, 14 licensed mental health professionals across seven southern universities participated in semi-structured virtual interviews to explore perceptions of prescribing PA to patients and referring patients to a PA specialist. Results: Thematic analysis revealed professionals perceived PA to be important for mental health, support prescribing PA to patients, face barriers to prescribing PA, professionals support referring patients to a PA specialist, and professionals face barriers referring to a PA specialist. Conclusions: Professionals agreed that PA was important for mental health and referring to a PA specialist would be the most feasible strategy to incorporate PA in their therapeutic work for patients struggling with physical inactivity and mental health. Future studies should investigate a PA referral system's implementation within university counseling centers and how this system can affect the mental health and PA of college students seeking mental health treatment.