First, the Pacific Crest Trail, then the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Benton Mackaye Trail, and others. Now, Zachariah Nagy’s sights are set on the Continental … Read more…

I am pleased to announce that, at our annual Board of Directors meeting earlier this week, Brayden Donnelly was elected as a new member of the Board. He joins co-founders Leo Walker, Tom Kennedy and Nancy Kozanecki who will continue their service on the Board.

Last evening, the Pearland Veterans Day Walk planning team was honored to present Texas Outreach Manager Zack Alexander from Camp Hope & the PTSD Foundation … Read more…

HIKE for Mental Health is pleased to announce the donation of $14,000 to the Pacific Crest Trail Association. The donation is made possible by the … Read more…

On Saturday, November 9, the community of Pearland, TX, came together to honor veterans and to raise funds to support vets and the families of vets battling PTSD. Thanks to a record number of business sponsors, the sixth annual Pearland Veterans Day Walk netted more than $16,000, which will be distributed to local organizations that provide counseling, direct care, emergency aid and fund research to alleviate suffering from Post Traumatic Stress.

2,500 miles in 31 days! Together, we can #hikeOctober! Wherever you live, whatever your ability, you can join HIKE for Mental Health to #hikeOctober. Add your miles to the effort and together we can reach the goal. October is the perfect month to get moving outside – not too hot, not too cold. Climb a mountain, stroll along a stream, go to the park, or take a walking tour of your city – wherever you are, whether you cover 1 mile or 100, you can join #hikeOctober. (Yes, it’s free.) Click to learn how.

Our Eighth Annual Summit Mt. Washington hike surpassed all expectations, creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime! More than 120 hikers joined us for our largest ever group trek to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. Click to see amazing photos and learn about the new fundraising record our hikers reached!

Last month, thirteen hikers led by volunteer hike organizer Sharon McCarthy, completed a hike for mental health in McDowell Nature Preserve near Charlotte, NC. Here is Sharon’s post-hike report, along with the final fundraising tally – did they make it to their $2,000 goal?

Hikers earlier this month were treated to perfect weather and magnificent views on their round-trip hike to the aptly-named Gertrude’s Nose. Thanks to volunteer hike organizer Matt Erickson for planning and leading this hike in Minnewaska State Park Preserve in upstate New York. Thanks also to the hikers who joined the hike and enjoyed panoramic views of the Hudson River valley.

Since I was 14 I have struggled with depression and some suicidal ideations, and as of 2 and a half years ago I was re-diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And it’s so scary to share that, but I’ve found that sharing our stories begins to put a crack in the stigma. Sharing stories connects us to the people around us to make life bearable. And being listened to saves lives.

Looking to get involved with HIKE for Mental Health from your own home? We are seeking a volunteer to help with outreach for the #hikeOctober program this year. The role involves identifying and contacting hiking and mental health-oriented groups via email and phone to ask them to share the #hikeOctober campaign with their members/audience. The time commitment is 2-3 hours per month from March through October. You must have internet access, be able to do independent Google searches to find information, be organized, and comfortable talking with and writing to strangers.

Just in time for the holidays we finished distributing the record-setting proceeds from the fifth annual Pearland Veterans Day Walk. These funds were possible only because hundreds of members of the greater Pearland, TX, community came out on Saturday, November 10 for our fifth annual Veterans Day Walk to honor Texas veterans, to celebrate the freedom their bravery has secured for us, and to raise funds for those still battling Post Traumatic Stress. How much did we raise and where did the money go?