May is Mental Health Awareness Month and EveryMind has teamed up with Montgomery Parks and community sponsors to host a month-long engagement event/fundraiser, EveryMile for EveryMind. Aimed at raising awareness, ending the stigma associated with mental health disorders, and highlighting the correlation between physical activity and mental wellbeing, this event encourages the community to get outside, get active, and discover Montgomery Parks’ beautiful trails. Participants can register and donate to support the mission at the EveryMile for EveryMind event page.
Each Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday in May, EveryMind has organized fun, family-friendly in-person walks, led by EveryMind representatives, at various Montgomery Parks trails across the county. Community members can register for free as a walker via the website and, once registered, can sign up to join other walkers for an in-person hike and support the mission of community mental health.
“We are grateful to Montgomery Parks, our many community sponsors, registered walkers, and contributors for their partnership and support of EveryMile for EveryMind,” says Ann Mazur, CEO of EveryMind. “Self-care, daily exercise, and strong social connections are crucial for our wellbeing. This event is a great opportunity for the community to come together, get moving, and engage in a fun physical activity that enhances mental health.”
“Nature has a way of breaking down barriers and bringing people of various backgrounds and abilities together,” said Jennene Blakely, Montgomery Parks Program Access Manager. “Montgomery Parks is proud to promote these hikes and invites all people to experience the beauty of our parks and trails.”
Over the last two years, EveryMind has seen a dramatic increase in demand for services across all programs. The mental health crisis that youth and teens are grappling with is causing them to reach out through the hotline in greater numbers than ever before. EveryMind remains committed to providing services, supportive listening, and crisis intervention to all in need.
While mental health is a growing global priority, EveryMind acts locally to impact community mental wellbeing, one individual at a time, because every mind matters.
We are grateful for the generosity of all EveryMile for EveryMind sponsors: Platinum Sponsors – The Ron & Joy Paul Family Foundation and Viatris.
- Gold Sponsors – Adventist HealthCare and Wiley.
- Silver Sponsors – Deloitte, EagleBank, Glazer, Honigman & Ellick, Jeffrey Holtzman/AIM, and Saggar & Rosenberg.
- Bronze Sponsors – Atlantic Services Group, Fit Fathers Foundation, Ledo’s Pizza Wheaton, MainSpring Inc., NFP, and Suburban Hospital.
There is still time to support and participate in EveryMile for EveryMind. Community residents are encouraged to register and sign up for an organized walk, to donate to the program, or to sponsor a registered walker and their fundraising efforts. To learn more and register to participate, visit EveryMile for EveryMind or email Shaalini Stone at sstone@every-mind.org.
About EveryMind:
EveryMind, an independent 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, has been impacting the mental health and wellness of children, youth, adults, veterans, and families in the National Capital Region for 65 years. Based in Rockville, MD, EveryMind’s dedicated staff and volunteers work to strengthen communities and empower individuals to reach optimal mental wellness.
For more information, please visit www.Every-Mind.org.
About Montgomery Parks:
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 424 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.MontgomeryParks.org
