Mental Health Association Announces 14th Annual Walk for Wellness

MHANJ's 14th Annual

Walk for Wellness!

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Virtual Kick-Off Event 9:30-10:30am

NEW PARTNER:

Tri-State K-9 Response Team

September 27, 2021 -- The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) and its new partner, Tri-State Canine Response Team, invite community organizations, neighbors, and friends to participate in their 14th Annual Walk for Wellness with a “virtual” kick-off event on Saturday, October 2, from 9:30-10:30am. In addition to serving as a fundraiser, the Walk will raise awareness of the importance of mental health. Registration for the Walk is $25 per person (includes T-shirt) and $5 per dog (includes doggie give-away). Both you and your canine friend are encouraged to walk when you want and where you choose throughout the month of October to bring attention to the importance of mental health. Have friends & neighbors sponsor you through donations or by spreading the message of your MHANJ Walk participation and your efforts will support two wonderful organizations working to enhance the wellness of all New Jerseyans.

New Steps Goal and Themed Weeks Highlight Mental Health

We have set a collective goal of walking at least 1,595,000 steps, representing one step for each adult with mental illness or substance use disorder in New Jersey. *

Other highlights include themed awareness weeks featuring interesting and informative content to be shared on social media:

October 1-7, National Walk Your Dog Week and Fun Stuff for Others

October 3-9, National Mental Illness Awareness Week

October 10-16, Mental Health for Youth & Teachers Who Support Them

October 17-23, Mental Health for Seniors

October 24-31, First Responders

October 28 National First Responders Day

This year we have many exciting ways to participate including the all-new dog costume contest! So, join us to have fun, to gain physical and emotional wellness, and to earn fundraising prize incentives while walking for a good cause!

For more information or to sign up as a walker, to start a team, or to donate, visit https://mhanj.salsalabs.org/walk/index.html

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The MHANJ is grateful to its sponsors who make the event possible. The Gold Sponsor of the 2021 Walk is Merck. Silver Sponsors are Delta Dental and Investors Bank. Bronze Sponsors are Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and Otsuka.

*Source: Mental Health America, Prevalence Data 2021

About the MHANJ

The MHANJ is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for children and adults to achieve victory over mental health and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, began, the MHANJ provided over 4,400 virtual groups with more than 58,500 in attendance. It’s call center and texting service responded to 35,000 inquiries. Please visit: www.mhanj.org

About Tri-State K-9 Response Teams

Tri-state Canine Response Team is a non-profit 501(c) (3), all volunteer group dedicated to providing comfort and support to enhance the quality of life of those who are suffering from a personal condition or community crisis utilizing the human/canine bond and its power to heal. Please visit: tri-statecanineresponse.org.