Socktober Mental Health Awareness Campaign

I started this fundraiser a few years ago when I decided to share my own story of surviving depression. I was about to commit suicide when I was 23, when my phone rang, and I answered that call instead of killing myself. It was my mom, and she talked me out of it as a cried and told her everything going on. She saved my life that day, but I was still depressed and I still wanted to die, not necessarily die I guess, I just didn't want to be around anymore. I walked into a store and there was this wall of Halloween-themed socks (my favorite holiday). They were on sale, so I bought several pair. A few days into October I realized I'd worn a pair of these socks everyday that month, so I made it a goal to wear a new pair of crazy socks each day that month. I stocked up on socks, and I met that goal (with maybe a little cheating that first year). That goal, tiny as it was, got me through the whole month of October. It gave me something to look forward to every single day. Those socks, silly as it seems, saved my life for that entire month. All those years ago I thought there was no way out of the mountain of debt I was in, that I'd be alone, that I'd live in run-down places forever. I have a career, my debt is incredibly decreased, and I have a lovely supportive family. I am so glad I didn't kill myself 10 years ago. Every year in October, I hand out socks with my story and encourage people to find their own version of "socks," something that makes them smile. Something that makes them want to move forward, even for a day. Depression is a hard battle, and it gets the best of some of the brightest souls. I want to help encourage people to continue fighting, because it is always worth it.

This year I am VERY proud to announce that I will be pairing with The Rolla Mission to hand out socks along with my story to the individuals that stay there in order to hopefully promote inspiration, wellness, and providing them with a small comfort going forward in their journeys.

ALL FUNDS go to purchasing socks for Socktober or for maintaining the P.O. Box that I keep specifically for Socktober, and absolutely nothing else.