Hi All!
Thanks for visiting my #hikeoctober fundraising page for
Hike for Mental Health!
Please consider making a donation to this important, volunteer-run organization. 1 in 4 people in the US have a diagnosed mental illness and many are desperate in seeking effective and sustainable treatment. There is plenty of research that notes the positive effects of wilderness hiking on mental health. While thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail this year, I met plenty of people suffering from a variety of mental health issues, from military vets with PTSD to young adults with depression and anxiety. All of them talked about how hiking made them feel better, some saying it had even saved their lives. More personally, I have felt the frustration of seeking mental health treatment for a close family member suffering from depression and anxiety, trying most every option available in our health care system, and not seeing any sustainable changes. After years of let-downs and heartbreak, this loved one finally found happiness in wilderness hiking. It's not a cure, but an amazingly simple way to get some relief from a sometimes debilitating illness.
Hike for Mental Health's mission is to increase public awareness of mental health challenges for those afflicted and their families, help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, as well as to increase public appreciation and responsible use of wilderness trails. 100% of HMH fundraising dollars support their mission (80% toward mental health scientific research and support programs, and 20% toward preserving wilderness trails, such as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail).
In addition to my goal of raising $500 from friends and family, I plan to match every mile I hike in October with a personal $1 donation. Let me know if you want to go hiking with me!
-Heidi
1 in 4 families is affected by mental illness.
I chose to join #hikeOctober to raise awareness of the challenges of mental illness, fund mental health research and conserve wilderness trails with our #hikeOctober campaign.
To learn more about #hikeOctober, click here.
HIKE for Mental Health is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded on the vision of a world in which everyone, including those who suffer mental illness, can find the simple joy of living.
Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of those afflicted by mental illness, eliminate the associated stigma, and to foster responsible use of wilderness trails.
As an all-volunteer organization, we distribute 100% of contributions raised by our hikers.
- 80 cents from every dollar funds programs to alleviate the suffering of mental illness including scientific research to prevent, cure, and treat mental illness
- 20 cents maintains and preserves wilderness trails
Your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS. Thank you for your support.
To learn more, visit www.hikeformentalhealth.org.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Patty Meehan | 10/31/2019 | $25.00 | YGG! You are an inspiration! | Anonymous Friend | 10/31/2019 | $105.00 | Pledged $1 per mile hiked/walked in October! | Laura Lutts | 10/29/2019 | $50.00 | Anne Heydrick | 10/28/2019 | $50.00 | Adam Keckley | 10/25/2019 | $30.00 | Lisa Ruffier | 10/25/2019 | $20.00 | Heidi, Thanks for all the great photos! Lisa | Liz Riley | 10/17/2019 | $50.00 | Such a great cause | Anonymous Friend | 10/16/2019 | $150.00 | Keep on trekking! | Mary Jo Larson | 10/14/2019 | $50.00 | You don't know me but I'm not hiking and wanted to support you. | Cheryl Wingate | 10/06/2019 | $20.00 | What a great way to make a difference! | Michelle Archambault | 10/05/2019 | $50.00 | Keep it up! Thank you for this amazing mission you are on! | Halo Fernandez | 10/02/2019 | $50.00 | Good luck FireFly!! | Anonymous Friend | 10/01/2019 | $100.00 | Good luck hon. |
| Total | $750.00 | ||