FRANKFORT, Ky. — Joe Hall is attempting an amazing feat, walking to every capitol building in the lower 48 states.
“I’ve covered about 250 miles, roughly,” Hall told Spectrum News 1.
After one month, Hall arrived in to Kentucky’s capital of Frankfort. Wednesday was a scheduled rest day, but Hall kept moving, walking the halls of the capitol building and meeting as many people as possible to share his motive for walking all this way.
“We always want to end the stigma. We’ve got to make it more comfortable, easier for people to open up and talk about the things we’re going through,” Hall said.
Hall experienced his own crisis situations. Four years ago, he was pursuing a career change.
“I had decided I was going to make a complete switch at almost 40 years old. I’m going to become a firefighter or paramedic. I want to help people,” Hall said.
While on his way to an EMT class, Hall was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him injured and in the hospital. He was in a dark place.
“I had the two suicide attempts in the hospital and obviously I didn’t finish anything because we are here,” Hall recalls.
Hall shared his story with State Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, who sits on the Families and Children Joint Committee. Hall felt Fleming would be a good person to talk to on the topic of mental health. Of his failed attempt to take his own life, Hall says, “It’s led to so many good things. At the very least at the end of this walk, if people can see that.”
He calls his trip “Hall Across the Country,” as he advocates for mental health awareness. It’s a journey he suspects will take him nearly two years to complete. Hall also hosts his own podcast on the topic and this isn’t the first time he’s traveled thousands of miles on foot to raise awareness. In 2022, Hall completed a 3,000 mile trek from Delaware to California. It took the Ohio man over six months to complete.
“That’s the biggest thing we’re trying to do with this is prevent suicide,” he said.
While in Frankfort, those pursing the same fight as Hall help line up meetings with lawmakers.
“Heading into my 43rd year in social work and spent most of that time working with children and adults who were dying and I learned life is not a dress rehearsal so when you meet somebody like Mr. Hall, he really takes that and shares the love,” Brenda Rosen told Spectrum News 1.
Rosen is the executive director for National Association of Social Workers, Kentucky chapter. Rosen helped Hall navigate Kentucky’s capitol during his two-day visit.
“That’s the beauty. I mean it takes one person to change someone’s life and I’m so excited for what Mr. Hall is going to be able to do the rest of his travels through Kentucky and beyond,” Rosen said.
You can follow Joe Hall’s journey on Instagram and Facebook.