Karen Smith, of Solon, is a mother of two. KCRG reports that her two sons and her husband struggle with forms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD and ADHD. “Some days are more difficult than others, some weeks are more difficult than others,” she told TV-9. “And in October we had a tough week.” So she wanted to do more to help her and others going through the same thing. “What more can I do to make him feel more comfortable talking about his struggles,” she said. Soon after, Smith set out on a 300+ mile trek across the state of Iowa. It follows Iowa Highway 18 beginning at the bridge over the Big Sioux River and will end in Marquette. She is followed, virtually, by more than 200 people, her Facebook page where she posts updates on her journey, and the GoFundMe set up for a non-profit organization. Smith says all donated funds will go to mental health crisis and awareness organizations such as Community Crisis Services and the Food Bank, the I’m Glad You Stayed Project and This Is My Brave. “I really think people who can tell their story will help others gain a better understanding of what it’s really like to live with anxiety and depression on a daily basis,” Smith said. Smith was joined by several of her friends and family members as they follow closely on foot or by car, but she says she did the majority of the trek on her own.
Karen Smith, of Solon, is a mother of two. KCRG reports that her two sons and her husband struggle with forms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD and ADHD.
“Some days are more difficult than others, some weeks are more difficult than others,” she told TV-9. “And in October we had a tough week.”
It was then that the struggles that one of his sons faced came to a head. So she wanted to do more to help her and others going through the same thing.
“What more can I do to make him feel more comfortable talking about his struggles,” she said.
Soon after, Smith embarked on a 300+ mile walk across the state of Iowa.
It follows Iowa Highway 18 from the bridge over the Big Sioux River and will end in Marquette.
She is followed, virtually, by more than 200 people between her Facebook page where she posts updates on her trip, and the GoFundMe set up for a non-profit organization. Smith says all donated funds will go to mental health crisis and awareness organizations such as Community Crisis Services and the Food Bank, the I’m Glad You Stayed Project and This Is My Brave.
“I really think people who can tell their story will help others better understand what it’s really like to live with anxiety and depression on a daily basis,” Smith said.
Smith was joined by several of her friends and family members as they follow closely on foot or by car, but she says she did the majority of the trek on her own.
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