National challenge places special focus on veterans and older adults
Fifty-five mayors across the country are launching the 2026 Move with the Mayor® (MWTM) Spring Mental Health and Physical Activity Challenge today.
The monthlong initiative, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, invites residents to improve their mental health through physical activity and social connection throughout May. This year, the challenge places special emphasis on two populations that face disproportionately high rates of social isolation: veterans and older adults.
Both groups often experience barriers to connection due to life transitions, geographic separation from support networks, and limited access to community programming. Sustained physical activity and community engagement can help address these challenges.
The challenge is presented by the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention in partnership with the American Public Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Participating mayors will lead or join group activities — including walks, bike rides, yoga sessions, and fitness classes — throughout the month. They will also encourage residents to share their experiences on social media using #MoveWithTheMayor.
Mayor Keith R. Sydnor of Laurel, Maryland, who is also returning for 2026, highlighted the role the challenge plays in building community connections.
“[Move with the Mayor®] brings out the community, and it’s just a fun thing for me — exercising, having fun, and talking about how we can address mental health and anxiety in our community,” Sydnor said.
Supervisor Chris Barnett of Orion, Michigan, a returning participant, spoke to the impact free programming had on his community last year.
Research shows that regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It also helps alleviate anxiety and depression.
Because mental health disorders can increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions, raising awareness about the connection between movement, social connection, and mental well-being is a critical public health priority.
The challenge also reflects a rare point of political consensus. Participating mayors represent Republican, Democratic, and independent communities, underscoring that mental health is a nonpartisan issue.
Residents can learn how to get involved and find local events at natforum.org/connect-move-thrive.
- Mayor Terrance Windham – Aliceville, AL
- Mayor Shawn Lavin – Amherst, NY
- Mayor Angela Caraway – Ansonville, NC
- Mayor James “Jim” Coffman – Beech Grove, IN
- Mayor Brian Jackson – Beverly Hills, MO
- Mayor Gregory Mills – Brighton, CO
- Mayor Katrina Thompson – Broadview, IL
- Mayor Debra Wimpee – Broken Arrow, OK
- Mayor Sean Ryan – Buffalo, NY
- Mayor Barbara Foushee – Carrboro, NC
- Mayor Freddy Puza – Culver City, CA
- Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. – Deltona, FL
- Mayor Rochelle Robinson – Douglasville, GA
- Mayor Derrick R. Wood – Dumfries, VA
- Mayor Stephanie Terry – Evansville, IN
- Mayor Hattie Portis-Jones – Fairburn, GA
- Mayor Christina Muryn – Findlay, OH
- Mayor Acquanetta Warren – Fontana, CA
- Mayor Sharon Tucker – Fort Wayne, IN
- Mayor Rebecca Giannelli – Glendale Heights, IL
- Mayor Sonja Brown – Glenn Heights, TX
- Mayor Eric Genrich – Green Bay, WI
- Mayor Errick D. Simmons – Greenville, MS
- Mayor Travis Stovall – Gresham, OR
- Mayor Rodney Craig – Hanover Park Village, IL
- Mayor Catrina Robinson – Hayti Heights, MO
- Mayor Michelle Romero – Henderson, NV
- Mayor Pat McCabe – Hot Springs, AR
- Mayor Donya Sartor – Jonesboro, GA
- Mayor Lily Wu – Wichita, KS
- Mayor Victor D. Treviño – Laredo, TX
- Mayor Denise D. Grant – Lauderhill, FL
- Mayor Keith R. Sydnor – Laurel, MD
- Mayor Sharetta Smith – Lima, OH
- Mayor Jack Bradley – Lorain, OH
- Mayor Will Hill – Louisville, MS
- Mayor Christopher Harvey – Manor, TX
- Mayor Nathaniel Booker – Maywood, IL
- Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch – Michigan City, IN
- Mayor Joe Nicastro – Mount Olive, NJ
- Mayor Chris Jensen – Noblesville, IN
- Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown – North Las Vegas, NV
- Mayor Ken Adams – Olive Branch, MS
- Supervisor Chris Barnett – Orion, MI
- Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith – Palmetto, GA
- Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters – Palos Park, IL
- Mayor Marie Gallo – Parma Heights, OH
- Mayor Kim A. Thomas – Richmond Heights, OH
- Mayor Kim Norton – Rochester, MN
- Mayor Crystal Ruiz – San Jacinto, CA
- Mayor Jayden Williams – Stockbridge, GA
- Mayor Jane Castor – Tampa, FL
- Mayor Amy Bublak – Turlock, CA
- Mayor Ed Brown – Upper Darby, PA
- Mayor Martha Guerrero – West Sacramento, CA
For more information about the challenge, visit natforum.org/connect-with-mwtm.
About Move with the Mayor®
Mayors use Move with the Mayor®, an initiative of the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention, to encourage active, healthy living while strengthening individual and community resilience. For 12 years and counting, mayors have been using MWTM messaging; program, policy, and infrastructure recommendations; and other tools to empower and protect community members from health threats and improve cardiovascular and mental health, for all. To learn more, visit nationalforum.org/mwtm.
Media Contact
Amanda Thomas
770-609-0674
amanda.thomas.ic@nationalforum.org
