From Ohio to the Nation: Joe Long’s Quest for Mental Health Advocacy

Joe Long, a man from Ohio, is currently on a mission to advocate for more support for individuals struggling with mental health. He has already visited 14 states during a prior walk and is currently in Kentucky for this particular mission. During his first walk, he passed through three different states in one day.

The purpose behind Long’s walking endeavor is to travel to every lower 48 state and state capital to communicate with legislators and discuss mental health initiatives for their constituents. Through his non-profit organization, Hall Across the Country, he shares his personal story and aims to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Having faced personal struggles with mental health, Long is deeply connected to the cause he is advocating for. In 2020, after being fired from a management position and being involved in a motorcycle accident shortly after, he experienced a severe mental health crisis. His time in the hospital following the accident marked the first occasion where he contemplated taking his own life, but his mental state did not allow him to follow through.

Long’s primary goal is to convey to others that they are not alone in their mental health challenges. By engaging in a nationwide walk, he hopes to shed light on mental health issues and prevent suicide by fostering greater awareness and open conversations about these critical topics.