May is Mental Health Awareness Month and EveryMind Inc. has teamed up with Montgomery County Parks and several key corporate sponsors to hold a month-long event, EveryMile for EveryMind. Aimed at raising awareness, ending the stigma associated with mental health disorders, and promoting positive mental wellness for all, this event encourages the community to get outside and walk one of the beautiful Montgomery Park trails during the month of May.
Each day, EveryMind has organized morning or afternoon fun and family-friendly walks at various Park trails across the county that community members can sign up to join with an EveryMind representative and group of walkers. The intent of the month of walks is to raise awareness of the importance of caring for one’s own mental health and highlight the correlation between physical activity and mental wellbeing.
Washington DC-based employees of Viatris, the platinum sponsor of EveryMile for EveryMind, will be walking a portion of the Capital-Crescent Trail on May 25th to raise awareness for mental health. Viatris has a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. Their unwavering belief that better access leads to better health for all perfectly aligns with the goals of EveryMile for EveryMind.
“At Viatris we work hard to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, because we know that good health matters to everyone, everywhere. This is why we understand the importance of addressing mental health as a global health priority,” said Anne Wilson, Viatris’ Head of Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships. “Viatris is proud to be partnering with an organization like EveryMind. Their commitment to this community is evident through this event, EveryMile for EveryMind, which gives people the opportunity to take important steps toward prioritizing their mental health and wellbeing.”
“We are grateful to Viatris, Montgomery Parks, our many corporate sponsors, registered walkers, and contributors for their partnerships and support for EveryMile for EveryMind during Mental Health Awareness month,” says Ann Mazur, CEO of EveryMind.
“This event is an opportunity for our community to come together not only in support of mental health awareness and the services provided by EveryMind, but also to engage in a fun and family-friendly physical activity that promotes positive mental wellness for all. Since the pandemic has started, EveryMind has seen a dramatic increase for services across all of our programs, and as we look forward to recovery, we know the community will continue to look to our programs and services, as the mental health crisis wrought by Covid-19 and the trauma from recent violence and ongoing racial inequities will have lasting effects. We know the importance of self-care and that daily exercise and strong social connection will be crucial as we move forward into the recovery phase.”
“EveryMile for EveryMind aligns with our mission and vision of Montgomery Parks by offering an enjoyable community-driven recreational opportunity that encourages both physical and mental health, and ensures the social equity and inclusion of all people in Montgomery County. In addition, the event will introduce county residents to experience the diversity and beauty of our park system, inviting them back time after time,” says Jennene Blakely, Inclusion and Community Outreach Specialist for Montgomery Parks.
EveryMind thanks the generosity of our sponsors: Platinum Sponsor – Viatris; Gold Sponsor – Toole, Katz, Roemersma; Silver Sponsors – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, EagleBank, Glazer, Honigman, Ellick, MainSpring Inc., Saggar & Rosenberg and Suburban Hospital; Bronze Sponsors – Atlantic Services Group, Borger Management, Goodman-Gable-Gould/Adjusters International, Holy Cross and Hub International, and Jeffrey & Stephanie Holtzman/AIM; and Friend Sponsors – Deloitte, Anne & Scott Hefter, Ledo’s Pizza Wheaton and Sarah McKechnie.
