support.IOCDF.org/emerald

Who: Invictus Counseling LLC, IOCDF (International OCD Foundation) and other local businesses (Crunch Fitness, Publix, and Dunkin Donuts)

When: This Saturday, 10/24/2026 @ 8:30 am will be a Fun Walk for OCD Awareness Month (October).

Where: Ferry Park, Fort Walton Beach

What– This is a 2 mile fun walk that will include spirit, fellowship, and fun. There will be an “Exposure Challenge Station” (do a feared challenge for a prize), a “YOU ROCK,” (words of inspiration rock painting station), I SPY educational game.

TEAL is the color of OCD Awareness and participants will be wearing spirit garb!

Why– To bring awareness and healing. OCD is a mental illness that impacts about 2-3% of the population and 1/40 adults. It can be a debilitating disease that impacts a persons abiltity to work, have healthy relationships, and be present in their own lives. A common misconception is that OCD is about perfectionism and that it is good to have. People may say, “I am so OCD,” without really thinking about the pain people living with OCD go through. OCD is based on an intense fear that someone may do something that will hurt another or themselves. In order to alleviate the intense fear, they complete compulsive actions, or rituals, that can take over their lives.