The courtyard at Heartwood Centre for Women came alive this spring with the sound of jump ropes whipping through the air, good times filledwith smiles and laughter, and the unmistakable joy of movement. Clients and staff gathered for a friendly jump rope competition as part of the annual Jump Rope for Mental Health campaign – a grassroots initiative that continues to gain momentum with each passing year.
Now in its sixth year, this year’s event brought out an impressive display of skill, with many clients surprising themselves and others with how quickly they picked things back up – even if they hadn’t skipped since elementary school.
The event was filled with encouragement, shared moments, and frozen treats, all contributing to a lighthearted but deeply meaningful afternoon.
“It was such a joyful day, seeing clients and staff with jump ropes in hand, sharing stories about their first time skipping again,” says Brendan Bernardo, a senior business analytics lead with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services and co-organizer, with the support of Renée Reichert and Heartwood staff. Renée shares, “the best part of the event was seeing the clients overcome their fear, cheer each other on, and impress themselves with their skills and efforts.”
More than just a fun afternoon
While the event brought plenty of smiles, its purpose runs deeper. The Jump Rope for Mental Health initiative is rooted in the belief that movement can be both healing and unifying — especially in spaces where people are navigating complex challenges.
What started as a personal story and challenge during the early days of the pandemic has grown into an annual tradition blending physical activity, mental health awareness, advocacy, and community giving.
Since its inception, the initiative has supported the BC Mental Health Foundation and remains committed to this support today.
The campaign’s GoFundMe component remains active and has raised over $1,300 in donations to date. All funds support the BC Mental Health Foundation and its work to advance mental health care for people across the province, especially for those living with serious and complex mental health and substance use challenges.
As the official funding partner of BCMHSUS, the Foundation is proud to support impactful initiatives that advance specialized mental health and substance use care. Recent funding is enabling enhanced staff training at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, an upgrade and replacement of essential equipment and supplies to enhance safety, comfort, and Indigenous cultural safety at the Heartwood Centre for Women, and the provision of Indigenous care supplies – such as medicines, ceremonial items, and fabrics for ribbon skirts – at the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction. Together, these initiatives help reduce stigma, foster cultural safety, and strengthen mental health supports for individuals throughout British Columbia.
“The jump rope event is more than just a fun afternoon – it’s a conversation starter and a catalyst for mental wellness,” says Brendan.
By engaging people in a fun, approachable way, the campaign fosters connection, builds confidence, and opens the door to deeper conversations.
Nurturing our health one skip at a time
Jumping rope offers a wide range of physical and mental health benefits, making it an ideal activity for all fitness levels. As a high-intensity aerobic exercise, it gives the cardiovascular system a serious boost, improving heart health and endurance in just a few minutes. It’s also a full-body workout – engaging the legs, core, and arms, while enhancing coordination – making it a fun and effective way to build strength, balance, and agility.
Beyond the physical gains, skipping also supports mental wellness. It requires focus, rhythm, and concentration, which can sharpen mental clarity and promote mindfulness. Even a short session can release endorphins, helping to reduce stress and elevate mood. And because it’s easy to learn and doesn’t require a lot of time or space, it’s an accessible option for a quick, efficient workout – sometimes even more time-effective than running.
Looking ahead
While the fundraising total is an important metric, the real success lies in the ripple effect of events like this one.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just about dollars raised – it’s about people feeling seen, supported, and inspired to take that next small step for themselves,” says Brendan.
No stranger to fundraising challenges, Brendan has his sights set high on his next venture. He hopes to bring together the jump rope community and broaden the reach to more staff, clients and their families. Eventually, he would like to see health care settings embrace jump rope as part of their regular programming.
With another year of skipping in the books, there’s hope that the momentum will continue to grow – and that staff and clients in other programs might feel encouraged to pick up a rope and give it a try. The campaign is also an invitation to engage in conversations about mental health – not through lectures or leaflets, but through shared experiences. It’s a gentle prompt to reimagine how joy, wellness, and community can intersect.