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Short Film Shows the Outdoors Can Be Therapy (or Escape) for Depression

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Two wolves are fighting inside you, the parable goes. One is the wolf of love and truth — the other is the wolf of hate and fear. Which one wins?

That’s the method “Chains of Habit” takes toward calling out depression and those in the outdoor community who experience it.

Mountain Hardwear-sponsored alpinist Ted Hesser is one of those individuals, and the film seeks to “bring his struggle to light.” For him, the filmmakers say, taking on outdoor adventures is a matter of sustenance and even survival.

“Chains of Habit” seeks to not only give audiences a chance to understand Hesser’s internal landscape, but also depression in general. The film aims at “de-stigmatizing the conversation around mental health,” and wants to “encourage others to get outside and get well.”

You can stream the whole short film, for free, right here.

Help is available — Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day.

Runtime: 6.5 minutes

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