“Walking feels good, it clears the mind”: in the Basque Country, hikes to feel better

In a region ideal for hiking, groups of people with mental disabilities are taking up this sport as a way to escape. It's a way to break out of isolation and take part in a sporting activity that is often life-saving.

"Walking feels good, it clears the mind," confides Manu. On July 23, he and twelve other people with mental disabilities spent the day hiking in the heights of Irouléguy, in the Basque Country. The nurses and specialized educators accompanying them called on the Muga Berriak association, affiliated with the French Federation of Adapted Sports , to organize this outing. Jean-Michel Riberaud, their guide, strives to find routes "appropriate to different levels, adapting to the least fit person." Although the outing was initially planned to take place in Iraty, the weather conditions forced the small group to hike at low altitude, between Irouléguy and Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry.

“These are moments of conviviality and sharing”

From the start at 10:30 a.m., the participants are in good shape. Manu, Marie, and Paul are "launched" in the lead, so much so that Dorothée, a special needs educator, trots to catch up. She works as a social worker in the department's five Mutual Aid Groups (GEM) dedicated to mental disabilities, located between Biarritz, Mauléon, Saint-Palais, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, and Hasparren.

"In the GEMs, we support people suffering from mental illness, who are very isolated. They need to share and regain life within themselves. We organize workshops to regain self-confidence; these are moments of conviviality and sharing, where we do adapted sports, games, etc.," she explains. At her side, Sandrine, a member, adds: "It allows us to find our place in a group and in society. To learn the codes again, too." This year, she has already participated in three hikes like this one.

“It allows us to find our place in a group and in society.”

Before joining one of these mutual aid groups, hospitalized people must be "stabilized," explains Marie-Pierre, a nurse at the day hospital (HDJ) in Cambo-les-Bains. "We admit patients on medical prescription, for six weeks to six months. They are independent, they live at home, but come to the hospital for their care." The staff there treats "depression, schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, etc."

Marie-Pierre and her colleagues are fighting against the "taboos" that persist around these disorders: "We talk about everything," she says. "We work a lot on stigma, and especially on self-stigma. With this kind of outing, we want them to tell themselves that they can absolutely do the same things as those who aren't sick."

As the picnic break approaches, Céline is glad she accepted the invitation: "I'm really glad I came. You get anxious for two or three days beforehand, but that's just how you feel. Now, seeing that everything is going well feels good," she confides. Her friend Valérie, whom she met at a previous activity, is also enjoying the moment, admiring "the pretty houses." "We chat, we take the time to discover places we wouldn't have visited otherwise," she assures, between two confident swings of the stick.

Manu, who is "used to walking, but alone and following the same paths," is looking forward to "discovering new places." "And it's good to see people," he adds. "It's soothing, we're lucky to live here," Dorothée remarks, before the Basque weather starts playing up.

"Just for depressive symptoms, we see improvements after three weeks."

Although the weather isn't great, the atmosphere among the hikers is good. "Sport is a great way to get better," says Antton, a day hospital nurse. However, "not all of our patients are able to go on day hikes like this," he explains. "But those who can are definitely up for it."

"We take them outside a lot and we put exercise at the top of the list," continues her colleague Marie-Pierre. "For the brain, it's super important and we see that it works miracles. For depressive symptoms alone, we see improvements in three weeks."

This Wednesday, participants come from both the Cambo-les-Bains day hospital and various mutual aid groups. "It helps create a link between our institution and their associations," explains the nurse. "By going out with the GEMs, we show our patients that, tomorrow, they too will be stable."

At 2:45 p.m., the small group is back at the parking lot. Their faces are smiling despite their rain-soaked clothes. "Milesker! See you soon!" Another hike is already being requested for the start of the school year.

Since 2012, the Muga Berriak association has been organizing nature stays and adapted holidays, lasting one to three days, "for independent people with mental and psychological disabilities." Information is available at 06 72 20 82 18 and on the website muga-berriak.fr .