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<\/p>\nOhioan Joe Hall is walking across America to spread awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.<\/p>\n
This the second time the 42-year-old is making a trek like this as part of his nonprofit organization Hall Across the country\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously we know it\u2019s very stigmatized,\u201d Hall said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for people to feel confident in opening up about the things that are going on in their heads.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each day, he aims to walk at least 15 miles while pushing his supplies with him. Along the way, he camps where he\u2019s allowed and if he can\u2019t find place, he\u2019ll stop for a hotel or hostel.<\/p>\n
As he meets people along the way, he shares his journey with mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very open about sharing my story because I can\u2019t ask people to open up about what\u2019s going on with them, if I\u2019m not willing to do the same,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hall said he\u2019s struggled with mental health, overcoming two suicide attempts, and is still working on himself today.<\/p>\n
He uses the walk as an opportunity to connect with and inspire others in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s that thought, the idea that I want to keep people from getting to that point,\u201d Hall said. \u201cYou know, because I\u2019ve been there and if I had gone through with it, I never would have experienced a lot of the really great things in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
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His goal is to walk through 48 states and their capital cities to help spread awareness.<\/p>\n
He started this journey last May in Ohio, but had to briefly pause after several life events prevented him from walking.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a month off when my father passed,\u201d he said. \u201cI got back on the road and then I had to have emergency surgery last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
After starting back up in April, he said he thinks it will take him at least two-and-a-half more years to finish. He said knowing he can help others keeps him moving forward not just on the walk, but in life as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a long time, I didn\u2019t feel like I had any reason to be alive and I don\u2019t want anybody else to ever feel like that,\u201d Hall said.<\/p>\n