With ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ Muny Builds Community Around Mental Health Awareness

ST. LOUIS — As the acclaimed Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen makes its Muny debut this summer, a new MunyCares initiative focused on mental health awareness will take center stage. A lineup of preshow programming — developed in collaboration with Muny civic and corporate partners — will amplify the importance of mental health advocacy, reduce stigma and serve as a reminder that no one has to face their struggles alone.

You Are Not Alone preshow programming runs 6:30-8 p.m. July 28-Aug. 3, before each performance of Dear Evan Hansen.

Dear Evan Hansen explores themes of mental health, loneliness and the need for authentic connection. When a tragedy strikes his high school community, Evan finds himself at the center of a rapidly evolving narrative — one shaped by grief, misunderstanding and the pressures of social media. 

According to a 2024 report by the American Psychological Association, 41% of teenagers with the highest social media use rated their overall mental health as poor or very poor, compared with 23% of those with the lowest use. Additionally, 10% of the highest-use group expressed suicidal intent or self-harm in the past 12 months, compared with 5% of the lowest-use group. ​

The story at the heart of Dear Evan Hansen opens a powerful conversation about the importance of mental health support and the ways young people cope in a complex world.

“Dear Evan Hansen is a profound musical that has helped destigmatize the topic of mental health, reminding us how vital it is to feel connected and seen,” said Sara Saul, director of strategic partnerships at The Muny. “That is why we are proud to partner with many community leaders to bring our You Are Not Alone preshow event to our patrons, creating a space for reflection, connection and conversation around mental health.”

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, presenting sponsor of Dear Evan Hansen, is supporting youth mental health by unleashing the healing power of pets. The St. Louis-based company is making efforts to match more trained therapy dogs with youth to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression and to increase self-confidence.

As part of the effort, more than 30 Purina employees and their dogs have graduated from a 16-week pet therapy certification course with Duo Dogs and have since completed more than 10,000 pet therapy sessions and volunteered hundreds of hours in local schools, hospitals and youth organizations.

Before each performance of Dear Evan Hansen, Muny patrons will have the chance to connect with certified touch therapy dogs at Purina Plaza, on the west side of the theatre.

“At Purina, we experience every day how pets can have a significant impact on our mental health,” said Kim Beardslee, director of community affairs at Purina. “By supporting the Muny’s production of Dear Evan Hansen and participating in the You Are Not Alone preshow events, we’re able to unleash the healing power of pets and ultimately make a positive difference in our community.”

Representatives from SSM Health Behavioral Health also will be on site before each performance, providing mental health resources and tips. The team includes counselors, psychiatrists, nurses and specialized therapists who work to provide support, expertise and individualized care to patients of all ages and their families. 

“Dear Evan Hansen highlights the struggles of isolation and the profound impact of mental health challenges,” said Erick Messias, MD and Ph.D., of SLUCare Physician Group and SSM Health Behavioral Health. “As a psychiatrist, I see firsthand the transformative power of treatment, support and community engagement. It’s crucial that we foster environments where individuals feel seen, heard and supported, ensuring that no one has to face their battles alone.” 

To learn more from Messias about mental health resources, visit muny.org/dearevanhansen and click “Content Notes.”  

Learn how to access behavioral health services near you at ssmhealth.com/notalone.

Other corporate and civic partners — including BJC HealthCare, Provident Behavioral Health and the Missouri Department of Conservation — will lend support to this important mission as part of preshow activities for Dear Evan Hansen. 

Learn more about how corporate and civic partnerships are supporting the Muny’s mission at muny.org/partnerships.

Principal casting for Dear Evan Hansen will be announced May 9. Learn more about the production at muny.org/dearevanhansen.

New Muny season tickets start at just $126 and are on sale now at muny.org/season-tickets and at the Muny Box Office, located at 1 Theatre Drive in Forest Park. Single-performance tickets go on sale May 19. 

A 20% group discount is available for parties of 15 or more. To start the free reservation process, visit muny.org/groups or call (314) 595-5708. A 20% discount is also available to students and teachers with a valid education email address or ID. Registration begins June 1 at muny.org/tickets/ticket-savings. 

Now entering its 107th season in St. Louis, The Muny — the recipient of the 2025 Regional Theatre Tony Award — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to producing exceptional musical theatre that is accessible to all, continuing its remarkable tradition in Forest Park. As the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre, The Muny welcomes more than 300,000 patrons each summer for seven world-class productions under the stars. Learn more at muny.org. 

Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 10,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential. With care delivery  sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials, and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company, and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 13,900+ providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.”