BATAVIA, N.Y. — A Clarence woman is nearing the end of a cross country journey, aimed at raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
Debbie Curtis, founder of 4TeamBrock, which is an organization named in honor of her son, was introduced to 2 on Your Side viewers back in February as she was preparing to bike from San Diego, Calif., to New York City as part of her effort.
From New York she then began walking toward her home.
We spoke to her on Thursday as she walked along Route, 5 just east of Batavia.
"He was embarrassed by his illness, and I think that led him to not stay on his regimen that should have been able to help him," Curtis said, regarding her son Brock.
Brock Curtis, who who was outgoing, athletic, and adventurous on the outside, began struggling with mental health issues as a teenager.
He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at ager 21, and he died at age 24 of a suspected suicide at Niagara Falls.
Debbie says they will never know if Brock's death was intentional or the misfortunate result of a psychotic episode, but either way, she has made it her mission to spread awareness and understanding about mental illness.
"There are absolutely times that I go back and think if I could have done differently ... but you cannot fix someone else's health issues, just like an individual can't cure cancer," Curtis said. "And there's nothing we can do in reverse."
Indeed, Curtis believes the means to help others is to push forward.
"It's an illness, not a character flaw," she said, regarding mental health conditions for which there are too often stigmas not experienced by those who suffer other illnesses such as cancer or heart disease.
Curtis has calculated that the walking portion of her journey will encompass 1 million steps.
"And Brock has been with me every step of the way," she said. "And I've had a lot of conversations with my son, and I know he's been looking over me and the rest of my family."
The final steps of her journey will come on Saturday when she arrives at Sunset Park in Clarence at bench that was placed there in honor of her son who died in January of 2021.
"I know he knew how loved he was. I know that for sure," Curtis said.
During her journey Curtis said she met many others effected by mental health issues, including a woman who is a suicide survivor who she said hugged her.
"I've met people of all ages and all sectors who told me about their own personal journeys and their families issues with mental health or suicide," said Curtis. "These people really want to be listened to and they want the same level of respect that you would get if you suffer from any type of illness."
To them, and all others effected this mom on a mission has a message.
"Don't be afraid to reach out to ask for help. And there is hope and keep going because the world is better with you in it."