On a spring morning in Creve Coeur Lake Park, thousands of St. Louisans will gather for something that feels less like a fundraiser and more like a celebration of collective wellbeing. The 24th Annual NAMIWalks St. Louis, scheduled for May 16, invites the community to come together in support of mental health through movement, conversation, and connection.
At its core, the event reflects a shift in how we think about wellness. Mental health is no longer a topic reserved for moments of crisis. It is increasingly viewed as an essential part of everyday life, representatives explain, and as routine as physical fitness or nutrition. For Jen Ryan Galantowicz, volunteer chair of the walk, that cultural change is both personal and powerful.
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“I think we are slowly erasing the stigma around talking about mental health,” she says, pointing to grassroots efforts and growing openness across the region.
That openness is translating into action. Last year, nearly 1,500 participants helped raise more than $273,000 for local programs. This year, the goal climbs even higher to $275,000, with every dollar staying in St. Louis to fund free education, support groups, and outreach services.
The impact is already visible. In 2025 alone, NAMI St. Louis reached more than 53,000 individuals across the region through programs that range from school-based education to peer-led support groups. Those services are meeting a growing need, especially among young people, where hundreds of students sought help immediately after attending mental health presentations.
Still, the walk is not defined by statistics. It is defined by experience.
“It really is like a full-on party,” Galantowicz says.
Participants can choose a one- or two-mile route, but the day extends far beyond the walk itself. Attendees can expect live music, a DJ, community resource booths, and the return of the popular “Paw in for Mental Health” pet contest. Dogs on leashes are welcome, adding to the event’s inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere.
That sense of belonging is intentional. While national conversations around mental health continue to evolve, local events like NAMIWalks create space for people to show up physically for one another. In workplaces, Galantowicz gives as an example, many employees say mental health should be discussed openly, yet far fewer feel comfortable doing so. Events like this help close that gap by normalizing the conversation in a visible, communal way, she adds.
For Galantowicz, the mission is deeply rooted in her own life as a parent navigating mental health challenges within her family. Through NAMI, she found not only resources but reassurance.
“To know that I am not alone and my children are not alone,” she says, “that makes all the difference.”
Ultimately, NAMIWalks St. Louis is about more than a single day. It is about building a culture where support is accessible, conversations are open, and no one has to navigate mental health alone.
“We want people to feel just as comfortable talking about their mental health as they would if they had a cold,” Galantowicz says. “You are not alone, and you never have to walk that journey by yourself.”
