Behavioral Health Running Program

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Behavioral Health Running Program is a County of San Diego joint partnership program between Behavioral Health Services Juvenile Forensics and the Probation Department. The program was created to provide a pro-social physical outlet for youth who are living in probation rehabilitation camps in rural San Diego County. Many male, adolescent probation wards come to the camps with histories of aggressive behaviors, anxiety and depression. Beneficial activities and services are offered to the youth within the confines of the camp; however, the Running Program provides an opportunity for youth to learn the discipline of long distance running and experience the health benefits and feelings of mastery and success outside of the camp fences. With Probation Department approval and assistance, an informal running program was started by Carlos Nelson, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, at the Juvenile Ranch Facility in Campo, CA in 2014. Since then, Dr. Nelson and the Running Program transferred to Camp Barrett, a rehabilitative camp in Alpine, CA. Trained and supervised by Dr. Nelson and probation staff, youth living at Camp Barrett participate in 5Ks and half marathons in the San Diego region throughout the year. The Running Program is a collaborative effort that addresses the needs of both mind and body and exemplifies Live Well San Diego, the County of San Diego’s vision for healthy, safe and thriving communities.