Hope Means Nevada launches statewide virtual walk to support youth mental health

Hope Means Nevada launched a statewide campaign to rally support for adolescent well-being, inviting residents from across the Silver State to participate in its annual Walk Across Nevada initiative to raise awareness and advocate for youth mental health.

The five-week virtual movement, which began Oct. 17 and runs through Nov. 21, encourages Nevadans of all ages and fitness levels to turn everyday physical activity into a collective demonstration of support for teens facing mental health challenges and suicide prevention.

Participants can take part anywhere across the state by incorporating regular daily movements such as walking, running, hiking, rolling or exercising outdoors. Miles and activities are tracked using the free Strava mobile application, where participants join the designated Hope Means Nevada club to log their collective distances toward virtually traversing the state.

Organizers emphasized that the initiative requires no specialized training or major time commitment, focusing instead on shared participation to deliver a visible message of encouragement to struggling youth.

“Every mile is a message to our teens: you are not alone,” said Janna Velasco, executive director of Hope Means Nevada. “By moving together and logging our miles, we’re showing young people across Nevada that we care, that they matter, and that there are people in their corner even when they may feel alone.”

The campaign also partners with the UNLV School of Public Health and will culminate on Saturday, Nov. 21, with an in-person Hope in Action celebration hosted on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Organizers stressed that regular physical movement not only benefits individual wellness but also provides a tangible vehicle for community advocacy.

“Together, we’ll virtually walk across Nevada while reminding our youth that their mental health matters and that hope is something we build together,” Velasco said, noting that every step and voice helps reinforce community connections for young people.

Community members interested in joining the challenge can download the Strava app, connect with the Hope Means Nevada club and begin logging their activities. Additional information on youth resources, community partnerships and registration details is available through the organization’s website at hopemeansnevada.org.