Lawrence resident Emily Winters is organizing a “Climb Out of the Darkness Meet-up and Climb” event from 9 a.m. to noon June 24 at Clinton Lake’s Overlook Park, 801 N. 1402 Road. The event’s goal is to raise awareness about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder and funds for Postpartum Support International.
Winters, 31, a neonatal intensive care nurse at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, is an advocate for better screening and awareness after her Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder was missed by health care providers and agencies. Winters suffered from postpartum anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder after the birth of her first child.
Participants can bring brunch snacks to share at Shelter 1. A one-mile walk along the paved Sanders Mound trail will begin at 11 a.m.
Anyone is welcome to attend, whether you want to join the event as a supporter or raise funds.
Climb Out of the Darkness, is held on or near the longest day of the year to help shine light on Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. The event features mothers and others across the globe joining together to climb mountains and hike trails to represent the symbolic rise our of the darkness of maternal mental illness and into the light of hope and recovery.
For more information about the event, visit the Facebook page.
To form a team and raise money for Postpartum Support International, visit the Build Your Village — Lawrence, KS webpage.
For more information about Build Your Village, a free peer support group for mothers suffering from pregnancy or postpartum adjustment challenges, visit Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s website.