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I have recently seen a few stories about the way depression is on the rise. Maybe it is just the time of year, or maybe other reasons. No matter the root cause, The World Health Organization  (WHO) has called depression an epidemic, and in his departing message, the Surgeon General warned against dangers of loneliness and the importance building community.

There is no quick fix for such a huge problem, but perhaps small changes can add up to make a big difference. I’ve talked a bit here about the benefits of spending time in nature or simply taking a walk. I came across another study this week that resonates with me as well. The British Journal of Psychiatry found a link between cultural outings and a reduction in depression. An overview is available in this article, but the gist is that going to see a movie, a theater performance or visiting a museum just once a month reduced instances of depression and had positive effects on our mental state.

Our Stewart/Perry Cares program has always made it a priority to support the arts in our community, and now the cause seems that much more important. I always leave the Birmingham Museum of Art, Red Mountain Theatre or a trip to see the Alabama Symphony Orchestra feeling uplifted, but now I have the science to back up it. I’m proud that we back all three of these organizations.

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Merrill Stewart is Founder and CEO of The Stewart/Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham.