Welcome to Mental Health Walking Group (Tuesday, Sep. 23 at 6pm)

Fund Mental Healthcare (FMH) is hosting its first Mental Health Walking Group on Tuesday, September 23, meeting at Buckingham Fountain at 6:00 PM. The walk is open to adults 18 and older, and is designed to be low-pressure: an easy, conversational pace, with space to share if you want to or simply walk quietly alongside others.

There is strong evidence that light physical activity such as walking supports mental health. Studies show that even a single session of moderate activity can reduce short-term feelings of anxiety, while consistent walking is associated with a lower risk of depression over time. Recent research has found that adding just 1,000 steps a day can reduce the risk of depression by nearly 10 percent, highlighting how accessible movement can make a measurable difference.

The social side matters just as much. Public health research has found that loneliness and social isolation carry significant health risks, comparable to smoking or obesity. Regular opportunities for community connection—like group walks—help reduce these risks by creating space for casual conversation and shared experience. Participants often report that the combination of exercise and social time makes it easier to stick with healthy habits.

Fund Mental Healthcare’s aim with the Walking Group is to provide a simple, repeatable format that anyone can join. It’s not therapy or medical care, but a peer-led gathering in public space where people can feel connected. The first meetup is a chance to test the idea and see how it works in practice. Adults 18 and older are welcome to gather at Buckingham Fountain at 6:00 PM to walk, talk, and take a step—literally—toward better mental health.