New York, October 1, 2026- Project Healthy Minds, the leading mental health tech nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to mental health services, today announced that multi-platinum singer, songwriter, actress and activist Becky G will join the expansive lineup for the fifth annual World Mental Health Day Festival, taking place Saturday, October 10 at Spring Studios in New York City.
The seven-time Latin GRAMMYⓇ nominee and Academy Award nominee will open up about anxiety, boundaries, and how her roots and lived experience fuels her music and keeps her grounded. Project Healthy Minds served as the nonprofit impact partner on “REBBECA,” Becky G’s deeply personal bio-documentary exploring identity, family and healing and partnered with Project Healthy Minds to create a custom version of its free digital marketplace.
The world’s largest gathering of its kind on World Mental Health Day, the free-to-the-public Festival brings together leading voices across culture, sports, business, media, and entertainment for a full day of engaging conversations, interactive workshops and energizing movement tracks focused on the defining public health issue of our time. New participants in the Festival, and the fourth annual World Mental Health Day Gala, taking place Thursday, October 8 at Spring Studios, are listed below.
ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL NEWS
Also announced today, influential voices added to the lineup include FERG, multidisciplinary artist and creator of FERG STRONG; Brandon Marshall, six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, CEO of House of Athlete, and creator and host of “I AM ATHLETE”; Remi Bader, content creator, founder of Fangirl, and advocate for mental health and eating disorder awareness; KJ Dillard, skateboarder, model, actor, rapper, singer, songwriter, poet, TV personality starring in Bravo’s “Summer House” and mental health advocate; Seth Davis, an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster and best-selling author; Natasha Parker, Creator and Podcast Host, Certified Meditation Teacher 200-RYT, and Founder of Zero Zero Still, a meditation collective; Emily Abbate, Host, Hurdle on iHeart Women’s Sports; Case Kenny, Mindfulness Expert and Author; Dan Clancy, CEO of Twitch; Natasha Kalimada, a professional dancer, actress, and the Founder of sāncta studios; and Prince Brathwaite, fitness entrepreneur, coach and founder of Trooper Fitness
“We’re proud to expand our partnership with Becky G after serving as the nonprofit impact partner on ‘REBBECA,’ her deeply personal Netflix film about identity, family and healing. When an artist of her global fame talks openly about anxiety and staying grounded, it gives so many people permission to do the same,” said Phil Schermer, Founder and CEO of Project Healthy Minds. “This year’s Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival has something for everyone — from talks with global superstar Becky G, New York Knicks & NBA Champion Karl-Anthony Towns, actor Terry Crews, and author of “The Anxious Generation” Jonathan Haidt — to workshops and fitness classes and runs with Nina Westbrook to Brandon Marshall, FERG, Remi Bader, KJ Dillard, Dan Clancy, and more — all free and open to the public.”
Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival, is grounded in six pillars: Connect, Move, Restore, Reflect, Create and Care. Considered the world’s largest public event on World Mental Health Day, the festivities unite world-renowned thought leaders, celebrities, authors and sports personalities for a full day of conversations and experiences addressing what has been called “the defining public health issue of our time.”
The Festival will debut a dedicated track of programming that highlights how sports can be used as a vehicle for change. Named to honor the work of Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and CEO of Related Ross, Owner of the Miami Dolphins, Formula One Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open, and founder of the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), the RISE Track of programming explores how sports can shift the conversation around mental health, with sessions open to the public alongside programming designed specifically to support student athletes and students interested in the sports business. The RISE Track will be introduced by Daniel Sillman, the Chief Executive Officer of Ross Sports & Entertainment. Highlights include “Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” an intimate conversation with Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA Champion and New York Knicks star moderated by Rich Kleiman, on carrying grief while competing at the highest level after losing his mother in 2020; “More Than the Game: Identity, Mental Health & Finding Purpose Beyond Performance,” featuring Brandon Marshall on pressure, identity and purpose beyond competition; and “Writing Your Own Playbook,” a session led by Seth Davis, sportswriter, broadcaster, and best-selling author, that helps student athletes build a sense of identity and a plan for life after sport. The session is followed by a networking reception connecting students with professional athletes, executives and leaders across the sports industry.
Also new this year, Project Healthy Minds introduces The Workshop, a dedicated space at the Festival for creation and connection where attendees are invited to add a new tool to their mental health toolkit. Each interactive session provides a welcoming environment for participants to slow down, connect with the present moment, and explore their thoughts and feelings through the creative process. No art, music or writing experience is needed, and all materials are provided. Sessions include “From Page to Song: The Journal as Creative Practice,” led by KJ Dillard, where attendees turn their own journal entries into poems, lyrics and songs, with each participant receiving a Project Healthy Minds journal; and “A Creative Moment: Mindful Art-Making,” hosted by New York University, a guided art therapy session using art for reflection and personal expression, open to all.
As previously announced, changemakers and visionaries for the fifth annual Festival include Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA Champion and New York Knicks star, whose intimate conversation will be moderated by Rich Kleiman, Boardroom Co-Founder and CEO; Terry Crews, actor, host, author and Global Ambassador of Wellbeing for Wellhub; Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Anxious Generation”; and Nina Westbrook, licensed marriage and family therapist, former college athlete and Founder. Powerful activations and fitness classes will be led Sydney Miller, founder and CEO of HOUSEWORK; Kelsey Wells, global fitness trainer & mental health advocate; Becs Gentry, Peloton Instructor and ultramarathon runner; Timm Chiusano, author; Joe Gonzales, founder of Brooklyn Stroll Club; Jack Bauer, certified breathwork facilitator, mindfulness coach and fitness instructor; plus an award-winning puppy yoga class hosted by Puppy Sphere™.
The 2026 World Mental Health Day Festival is sponsored by Propel, Nespresso, ENOUGH, World of Hyatt, lululemon, and Wellhub. The Festival is produced by Project Healthy Minds with support from Overland Entertainment.
Tickets to the Becky G talk, and all events, are free. Sign-up at Festival’s homepage/ https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/events/wmhd-festival-2026. Space is limited.
GALA NEWS
The fourth annual World Mental Health Day Gala will feature a special performance by Grammy and Tony Award winner Shoshana Bean, currently starring in Broadway’s The Lost Boys, whose credits include her Grammy-winning turn in Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen and as Elphaba in Wicked. New attendees for the special evening include Ashley Graham, supermodel, body positivity advocate and entrepreneur, and cinematographer, Justin Ervin; Taylor Strecker, TV personality and podcaster; CC Sabathia, former New York Yankees pitcher, and philanthropist Amber Sabathia; Kendall Toole, founder of NKO Club, lululemon Global Ambassador and mental health advocate; Remi Bader, who will also serve as a Gala dinner chair; KJ Dillard; Katie Fang, Beauty & Lifestyle Creator and Entrepreneur; Nina Westbrook, licensed marriage and family therapist, former college athlete and Founder; Jack Dylan Grazer, actor (Luca, It, Shazam!); and Greg Nobile, Tony-winning producer and CEO of Seaview Productions. The event supports the nonprofit’s mission to connect over 10 million Americans with mental health services over the next decade.
As previously announced, the special evening will be hosted by Carson Daly, co-anchor of NBC’s “TODAY,” host and producer of NBC’s “The Voice,” and a member of Project Healthy Minds Board of Directors. The meaningful event will include a presentation of Project Healthy Minds’ annual honors including Bill Lawrence, executive producer of five TV series including “Shrinking,” “Ted Lasso,” “Scrubs,” “Rooster” and “Bad Monkey,” who will receive the 2026 Project Healthy Minds Storyteller of the Year Award, presented by 2024’s honoree Michael D. Ratner, Founder & CEO of OBB, CEO of Fanatics Studios, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Chairman of rhode and Gala Dinner Chair. Chris Barbin, Founder and CEO of Tercera, will receive the Project Healthy Minds Humanitarian of the Year Award, and Nespresso will receive the Project Healthy Minds Corporate Visionary of the Year Award.
Additionally, Naeem Khan, world-renowned fashion designer and the Gala’s Artistic Curator, will bring to life his interactive “Beyond the Glitter” installation, an immersive exploration of the intersection of fashion and mental health, while renowned DJ Samantha Ronson will provide the evening’s soundtrack with a high-energy set, with special guests including Jack Goldburg, founder of Jack’s Dining Room & Yes Chef Group and more. The event will also feature a special to be announced musical performance.
2026 Dinner Chairs include OBB’s Ratner and his wife Lauren Ratner, Co-Founder, rhode; co-anchor of TODAY and NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent Savannah Guthrie and her husband, Mike Feldman, Partner, Co-Chairman, North America, FGS Global; Joseph and Jacqui Canney, Chief People and AI Enablement Officer, ServiceNow; Kalen Irsay Jackson, Owner & Chief Brand Officer, Indianapolis Colts; Motive Partners Chair Jeff Yabuki who with his wife Gail, direct the Yabuki Family Foundation; Rich Kleiman, Co-Founder & CEO, Boardroom, and his wife Jana Kleiman; Joanne and Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Moelis & Company; CEO, Thrive Hospitality and famed event planner Colin Cowie and Daniel Peuscovich; Jennifer Koman, Founder, The Little Things, and Jim Koman, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, ElmTree Funds; PepsiCo Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer Becky Schmitt; former president of Marc Jacobs, Carolyn Risoli; and Joe Silvestri, Co-Founder, Managing Partner & Head of Industrials, Court Square Capital; ESPN college sports reporter Jessica Sims, influential fitness expert, speaker and instructor; Ronnie and Michael Kassan, Founder, 3C Ventures; Marc Jacobs’ Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Digital, Kristin Patrick; Bushra and Atif Zaim, Deputy Chair and Managing Principal, KPMG U.S.; digital content creator Kat Stickler, and content creator and entrepreneur, Remi Bader.
Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala is sponsored by PepsiCo, OBB and Warner Bros. Discovery TV Group. The Gala is produced by Project Healthy Minds with support from Rafanelli Events.
ABOUT PROJECT HEALTHY MINDS
Project Healthy Minds is a Millennial & Gen Z-driven mental health tech nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to mental health services across the United States for every community. Project Healthy Minds focuses on three programmatic areas: (1) destigmatizing mental health by mobilizing culture-makers; (2) expanding access to mental health services through the world’s first free digital mental health marketplace; and (3) advocating for innovative workplace investments in employee mental health. Project Healthy Minds has served more than 500,000 people.
ABOUT BECKY G
Becky G is a multi-platinum global superstar who has spent the last decade shaping the sound and culture of contemporary pop across languages and borders. A singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and activist, the seven-time Latin GRAMMY® nominee and Academy Award nominee has amassed more than 28 billion career streams worldwide, building a catalog of hits while becoming one of the most recognizable voices of her generation. Her influence extends far beyond music, earning American Music Awards, Latin American Music Awards, E! People’s Choice Awards, and a Billboard Music Award, while her fearless advocacy for representation and community has made her a leading cultural voice on and off stage. In 2026, Becky was honored with Billboard’s Latin Women in Music Global Impact Award, recognizing her continued influence across music and culture. She was also named to the TIME100 Next list in 2025, honoring the rising leaders shaping the future across industries, and in 2024 delivered a powerful performance of her Oscar-nominated song “The Fire Inside” live at the Academy Awards.
