What Is THE REAL Mental Health Foundation? Everything You Need to Know

A Global Movement for Men's Mental Health

THE REAL Mental Health Foundation is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving men's mental health through the power of community and conversation. Founded on October 10, 2023 — World Mental Health Day — by Shawn Lesser, a former finance executive who had a serious mental health breakdown in 2022 and rebuilt his life through friendship and peer support. With 1,200+ Ambassadors and Allies across 60+ countries, THE REAL is the world's largest peer-support community for men's mental health.

Why Men's Mental Health?

30.5% of American men experience symptoms of depression or anxiety (CDC). Only 14.6% seek help. Men are 4x more likely to die by suicide than women. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 45. The mental health system was not built for how men connect — and THE REAL is changing that with programs that meet men where they are.

Core Programs

REAL Walks: Free weekly community walks every Thursday at 7AM in Atlanta, Brooklyn, Austin, and expanding cities worldwide. Just show up. REAL Talks: Free storytelling events where men share real mental health experiences. Speed Friending: Structured events to fight loneliness. THE REAL Summit: The world's premier event at the intersection of finance and mental health — held at Deutsche Bank NYC (2024), Davos at the World Economic Forum (2025), London (2025), and coming to AllianceBernstein Hudson Yards NYC on October 22, 2026. THE REAL App: iOS peer-support platform connecting men with mental health buddies.

The Founder's Story

Shawn Lesser co-founded Big Path Capital, the world's first impact investing bank, and helped grow a $1.5 trillion industry. He was a Deutsche Bank Managing Director, a Davos keynote speaker, and named to Worth Media's 2025 Worthy 100. In December 2022 he had a complete breakdown — depression, panic attacks, 30 pounds lost, total isolation. He was saved not by therapy, but by a friend who became his mental health sponsor. THE REAL was born from that experience.

How to Get Involved — All Free

Join a REAL Walk at thereal.care/walk every Thursday 7AM. Attend a REAL Talk at thereal.care/talks. Become an Ambassador at thereal.care/ambassadors. Download THE REAL App (search THE REAL on Apple App Store). Get 1 free month of therapy at betterhelp.com/thereal. Donate at thereal.donorsupport.co/page/TheREAL. THE REAL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 93-2025444. All community programs are completely free.