Nearly a million people in this country are on antidepressants. Psychiatrist Bram Bakker thinks that going for a run three times a week would do the job just as well, if not better. But there is a lack of incentives, he writes in the Volkskrant.

This weekend will see thousands of people doing the Dam to Dam race. Most of the participants know how satisfying it is to reach the finishing line. The problem lies with the people who are watching the five minute summary of the race on Studio Sport. Chances are that a good many of them don’t exercise enough or don’t exercise at all.
Not surprisingly, these are also the people who are more likely to be overweight, suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and depression. They also take more time off work. They may have relationship problems or are addicted to drugs. They could be in debt. The list goes on.
Complex
What it comes down to is that there is a link between a lack of exercise and all sorts of health problems, resulting in a loss of production and expensive health care. That is not to say that it is the only cause of illness. The link is a complex one and there can be many contributing factors.
Lack of exercise is definitely one of them. Doctors are not doing enough to promote exercise as part of the remedy. You can give an overweight person pills to combat high blood pressure but you could also recommend a trip to the gym. Nearly a million people use antidepressants when they would be better off going for a run three times a week.
It is very important to realise that there is no fundamental difference between physical and mental symptoms. A lack of exercise is an important attributing factor to heart disease but can also result in mood swings. And if exercise is not incorporated in a person’s lifestyle treatment is going to be difficult.
Bill
A proper health policy would pay much more attention to this. Investing in campaigns to get the whole population moving is not good enough. People who don’t want to exercise are not going to be convinced. It would be much better to make these people pay. You’re fat and it’s making you ill? Then you pay the bill. The same should go for smokers who get lung cancer.
This cabinet is making innocent people suffering from schizophrenia pay for part of their treatment. That is an injustice as long as you don’t present a bill to those who are knowingly jeopardising their health.
The cabinet is investing €130m in sport next year. The expiration of the patent on a well known brand of cholesterol lowering medication alone could generate as much as €900m. Why not use that money to promote exercise? Most people who have high cholesterol don’t need pills but a sports field.
It would be the simplest and most cost effective of measures in these cash-strapped times. For all parties.
This is an unofficial translation