Why OCD Awareness is Needed
The World Health Organization has listed OCD as one of the top 10 debilitating illnesses worldwide. That does not mean only mental illnesses, but all types, ranging from cognitive to physical diseases...
The Reality
​Many people with OCD are trapped and cannot live a normal life due to constant compulsions preventing them from carrying out everyday tasks, and, as I have experienced, the thought of suicide is extremely real. OCD victims feel like there is no way out and that they are alone, especially those who suffer from rarer subtypes of OCD, such as Pure OCD. In my teens, I was tormented by such thoughts and felt that I was crazy. No person, let alone kids, should suffer from such thoughts. That is why I want to climb. To show people worldwide that their pain is temporary and there is a way out of the suffering. Change starts with awareness.
The Mission
About 1 out of 40 adults in the US has OCD or will develop it later in life. Unfortunately, OCD is relatively common compared to other illnesses, and what is less fortunate is that, on average, kids and teens struggle for 2.5 years before being assessed by a mental health professional. This is a significant amount of time that can severely affect someone’s life, and possibly end it. By climbing and being an OCD advocate, it is my mission to shorten this time frame and create solidarity among those suffering.
