The fourth annual Climb Out of the Darkness walk, aimed at raising awareness about maternal mental illnesses like postpartum depression, will be held June 25.
Climb Out of the Darkness is the world’s largest event to raise awareness for maternal illnesses, which can also include postpartum anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis and bipolar disorder, as well as pregnancy depression and anxiety.
“It can really manifest in different ways,” said Kelly MacLaurin, an event organizer. “You’re just not you’re self. You’re off and you’re not sure why.”
According MacLaurin, one out of 10 new mothers experience some form of anxiety or depression, which can last weeks, or even up to a year, after childbirth.
“If you feel like something isn’t comfortable or quite right after you’ve had a baby, there are people here to talk to you and understand,” she said.
Every year, a Climb Out of the Darkness walk is held on or near the longest day of the year to symbolize mothers rising out of the darkness of their depression and into the light of recovery, organizers say.
In Durango, the walk will start at 10 a.m. June 25 at the Durango Community Recreation Center Outdoor Pavilion, 2700 Main Ave. Last year, the event drew about 30 participants. MacLaurin says it lasts about an hour.
The walk is free, but event organizers do encourage some fundraising among family and friends, which is 100 percent donated to support Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit.
Anyone interested in participating is asked to register at http://bit.ly/2sqdZVK.
