On August 22, 2019, our founder, Susan Crooks, faced an unimaginable loss when her son Walt succumbed to treatment-resistant anxiety and depression. In his memory, Susan and her other son, Will, established Walt’s Waltz—a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing suffering and stigma surrounding mental health struggles. Together, we can foster understanding and support for those in need.

We are an organization that is almost entirely run by volunteers and interns, and we could use your help!

Mission: Walt’s Waltz is dedicated to destigmatizing mental health, promoting equity in care and research funding, and empowering individuals through education and advocacy to foster hope and reduce suffering.

Vision: We envision a compassionate society where mental health is valued equally with physical health, eliminating stigma and empowering individuals to thrive.

Walt’s Waltz is a compass and a megaphone for mental health support, education, and change.

We work to end stigma, reduce suffering, and empower those with mental health conditions with hope to save lives.

• Mental Health Literacy Mental Health Literacy is a crucial first step in dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. By hosting live presentations—led by our team and sometimes featuring outside professionals—we encourage active participation and challenge long-held myths. These sessions create an open forum for discussion, allowing participants to ask questions and share their experiences. Even well-intentioned individuals may harbor preconceived biases and assumptions, often proclaiming “Break the Stigma!” without fully understanding the complexities involved. Through comprehensive education and relatable narratives, sometimes paired with art activities, we strive to foster a more informed and compassionate community, empowering individuals to recognize the importance of mental health care and the need to support one another in their journeys.

• Take Your Mental Health Temperature initiative encourages individuals to access a screening by Mental Health America that assesses the severity of their anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. While not diagnostic, these screenings serve as educational tools, helping individuals recognize the seriousness of their situation and inspiring them to seek professional support. We encourage sharing this screening as a way to check in on yourself and suggest taking it with a trusted friend to discuss each other’s findings. This initiative also aims to create empathy and understanding, emphasizing that mental health conditions exist on a continuum. Additionally, it provides valuable tools, resources, and strategies for managing mental health effectively, empowering participants to take charge of their well-being.

• Arts Integration Arts Integration employs both visual and performing arts as powerful wellness strategies within our programs. While not all of our arts programs have a direct instructional component, they serve as engaging avenues for community members to connect, express themselves, and educate others about mental health conditions. This approach promotes understanding and invites dialogue, aligning with our motto: "Let's stop dancing around mental health conversations.

• The Mental Health Moonshot initiative calls for significant funding for the early diagnosis of mental health conditions, aiming to develop innovative treatments and therapies. This critical area of research has been historically underfunded in genetics and epigenetics, necessitating a "moonshot" approach to ignite meaningful advancements in mental health care. Mental Health Moonshot initiative advocates for significant funding to enhance early diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, emphasizing the need for innovative therapies. Historically, research in areas such as genetics and epigenetics has been underfunded, which has hindered advancements in mental health care. This initiative aims to ignite a "moonshot" approach to drive meaningful progress in mental health by securing increased funding for research that parallels the funding seen in physical health conditions.

  In addition to advocating for research funding, the Mental Health Moonshot initiative emphasizes the importance of increased access to care and early intervention as preventive measures for mental health conditions. We recognize the necessity of more accurate diagnoses through advanced methodologies, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate care they need early on. By improving access to early interventions, we can create a more effective support system that empowers individuals to manage their mental health proactively.

  Walt’s Waltz Stigma-Free Environments empower businesses and organizations to foster safe spaces for open dialogue about mental health. By signing the Walt’s Waltz Stigma-Free Pledge, these entities boldly stand with individuals facing mental health challenges, recognizing the intrinsic link between mental and physical health and affirming their equal importance within the community. These environments not only promote understanding and acceptance but also serve as hubs for resources, support, and community engagement. They provide a platform for education and awareness initiatives, encouraging collaboration to further destigmatize mental health discussions and ensure that all individuals feel valued and supported.

Our Core Values

Honesty – "Balancing truth and trust" by being open about challenges and actions.

Compassion – "Walking in another’s shoes" by recognizing suffering and taking action to alleviate it.

Accountability – "Standing firm in our promises" by setting high expectations and working to better our community.

Shared Humanity – "Together, we are stronger," acknowledging every individual’s right to be seen, heard, and valued.

Inclusion – "Weaving every voice into our shared journey" by ensuring everyone is heard and valued, believing our differences are our strengths.

Fair-Mindedness – "Navigating with justice and equity" to ensure fairness in every moment.

Our Mottos

Let’s stop dancing around mental health conversations

Step Out of Stigma

Take your mental health temperature.

Time for a Mental Health Moonshot