RANGELY I Climb Out of the Darkness®, the world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental health disorders, will hold a regional Climb in Rangely on Saturday.
Survivors of postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, OCD and psychosis from all over the world—dubbed Warrior Moms—climb, hike or walk together to symbolize their collective rise out of the darkness as well as to raise funds for Postpartum Progress, a nonprofit organization and online community of support resources for women around the world.
Brittny Campos, the Warrior Mom ambassador for Rangely, has personal reasons for organizing the local climb.
“The year after (daughter) Harper was born was one of the hardest, if not the hardest year of my life,” she said. “I struggled with postpartum rage, depression and anxiety, to name a few. Getting the help I needed in our small town was extremely hard, and if I had not received that help, I quite possibly could have lost my life. This event shows other struggling moms that they aren’t alone. There is hope.”
All moms, families and friends are invited to participate in the climb, which begins at 9 a.m. at the water tank south of Rangely on South White Avenue (look for the tank’s mural of mesas and an eagle). Participants will walk to the Elks Park playground gazebo, where families can continue to visit and share in the collective strength of hope.
Campos knows how powerful that kind of sharing can be.
“My first climb last June was something that helped me on my road to recovery,” she said. “I was able to be encouraged by other moms who have gone before me and to show that I was trying to get better.”
Participants may register prior to the event at www.crowdrise.com/brittnycampos-cotd2016 or the morning of the climb at the starting line.
“Since founding Postpartum Progress in 2004, I continue to be in awe of how many lives we’ve touched and how many advancements we have made in awareness about these health issues,” said Katherine Stone, founder of Postpartum Progress. “Each and every one of our Warrior Moms is an inspiration. This climb event lets us celebrate them—and empower them—while reaching out to new moms who may be suffering. Every single day we are one step closer to erasing the stigma associated with postpartum depression and anxiety disorders. It’s these powerful women who are making a difference.”
This is the fourth annual Climb Out of the Darkness®, always held around the longest day of the year to shine the most possible light on maternal mental illness.
In 2015, more than 2,500 participants joined climbs in 45 states and five countries around the world, up from 200 participants in the inaugural 2013 climb.
The 2016 goal is to raise more than $300,000 to support Postpartum Progress; as of June 6, $221,709 has been raised. Team Colorado—Rangely has currently raised $250, and while the climb’s registration is free, participants are encouraged to donate to the cause. Sponsorships from local businesses are also being accepted.
Funds raised from this event will allow the organization to create new educational materials to be used by obstetricians, pediatricians and others as well as new materials to help educate the media on the public health impact of postpartum depression and related illnesses on mothers and children.
To learn more about Climb Out of the Darkness®, visit www.postpartumprogress.org/climb-out-of-the-darkness/ or contact Campos at 801- 589-4803 or [email protected] or co-coordinator Wendi Gillard at 970-620-8669.
