Doctor launches X the Stress

The South African anaesthetist, mother of two and ultra-distance trail runner, Dr Gwen Morgan, has launched X the Stress, a mental health awareness initiative highlighting how physical activity can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

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After working in a high-pressure medical speciality that has lost many colleagues to burnout and suicide, Morgan believes mental health challenges affect all professions. "Running keeps me grounded and able to give my best to my patients and my family," she says. Supported by strong scientific evidence linking exercise to improved mood and resilience, the campaign centres on her participation in the 2026 Marathon des Sables, a 250km self-supported race across the Sahara Desert.