Annual postpartum progress walk planned

VERNON — Climb Out of the Darkness, the world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental health disorders, will hold a regional Climb in Vernon on June 18.
Survivors of postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, OCD and psychosis from all over the world — dubbed Warrior Moms — climb, hike or walk together at a local mountain or park to symbolize their collective rise out of the darkness as well as to raise funds for Postpartum Progress, a non-profit organization and online community of support resources for women around the world.
All moms, families and friends are invited to participate in their local Climb Out of the Darkness to be held at Maple Grange Park in Vernon June 18 at 10 a.m. Participants must register prior to the event at https://www.crowdrise.com/fundraise-and-volunteer/the-team/ilanascherer-cotd2016.
“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, 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, and as of May 23rd $170,100 has been raised. As of now, team New Jersey-Vernon has raised $635. 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 the local Climb Leader, Ilana Scherer at Ilana.L.Scherer@gmail.com