Nearly 70 runners participated in the Commission’s first 5K to highlight the benefits of physical activity on your mental health.

Studies have proven that regular exercise can help reduce feelings of depression and stress and enhance your mood and overall emotional well-being.

Harrisburg, Pa – On Oct 20th, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement hosted a 5K run to promote mental wellness in honor of World Mental Health Day this October. Nearly 70 Pennsylvanians participated in the 5K to help raise awareness for the importance of caring for mental well-being, and to highlight the benefits of physical activity on your mental health.

“I am honored to work alongside my commissioners and mental health advocates from around the Commonwealth to host the Commission’s first ever Mental Health 5K,” said Executive Director Ruby Mundok. “The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement is dedicated to tackling the mental health crisis affecting young people across the state. We want to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has access to the resources they need and can lead a happy and healthy life.”

Last year, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order(opens in a new tab), establishing Pennsylvania’s first commission that ensures our young people have a seat at the table in state government. Governor Shapiro knows that next generation Pennsylvanians make important contributions to the Commonwealth and is committed to ensuring that this generation's voice is heard in his Administration to address the issues that matter most to them.

Mental health is a priority of the Next Generation Engagement Commission’s Safety and Health Subcommittee, which focuses on ways to improve the quality of life for young people in Pennsylvania. The committee, made up of 8 commissioners, led on planning and executing this event and worked with mental health organizations across the Commonwealth that positively affect their communities and the next generation of Pennsylvanians to provide free resources on youth mental health.

During the event, the Pennsylvania departments of Health and Human Services, local government agencies, and organizations from around the Commonwealth provided free resources for young Pennsylvania. See below for a full list of organizations in attendance

- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

- Pennsylvania Department of Health

- Dauphin County Mental Health/Autism/Developmental Programs, Harrisburg

- NAMI Dauphin County, Harrisburg

- PosiTIFF, Harrisburg

- Mind over Matter Holistic Counseling, Mechanicsburg

- Hope for Hallie, Swarthmore

- PA School Counselors Association, Mechanicsburg

- American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Eastern PA, State College

- Connections Health Solutions, Harrisburg

- Highmark The Caring Place, Camp Hill

- America250 PA

- New Voters, Philadelphia 

Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has listened to young people across the Commonwealth who have been leading the call for change. For the second year in a row, he took action to confront this challenge head on by matching previous investments to provide $100 million for mental health resources in schools and $20 million to support county mental health services in his 2024-2025 budget(opens in a new tab).

For more information on how the Governor’s budget invests in mental health, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov(opens in a new tab).