Upcoming Events

2025 Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk

OCD Iowa warmly invites you to get involved in our 3rd annual Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk, taking place Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Terra Park in Johnston. This free community event kicks off OCD Awareness Week and brings together individuals, families, and mental health advocates from across Iowa to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support those affected by OCD.

OCD affects over 240 million people globally, including 10 million Americans. It often begins in childhood or adolescence, with up to 3% of youth experiencing OCD at some point. Despite how common it is, OCD remains underrecognized and dramatically underfunded in research support compared to other similarly common disorders. Community-driven events like ours are vital in closing the awareness, education, and funding gap.

Click on the link below to register – it’s FREE to attend! Walkers who donate or fundraise $25 or more will receive an official OCD Walk t-shirt at check-in. Kids under 13 get a free t-shirt, just make to register them when you sign up!

Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Terra Park, Johnston, IA

2025 OCD Iowa Silent Auction

We’re excited to announce our online silent auction, running October 1–12, 2025, in the lead-up to the Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk!

This year’s auction features generous donations from businesses across Iowa and the Midwest, with all proceeds supporting OCD Iowa’s mission to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide resources for Iowans living with OCD.

Thank you to all of our incredible donors for making this event possible!

Interested in Sponsoring Our Walk?

We’d love to have you join us! Sponsorship opportunities include great perks like your logo featured on OCD Iowa’s website, social media, and promotional materials, as well as recognition during our annual walk.

Reach out to us at info@ocdiowa.org to learn more about supporting this impactful event.

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Past Events & Highlights

Iowa School Counselors Association Conference

On November 4th, 2024 OCD Iowa proudly hosted a booth at the Iowa School Counselors Association Conference in Des Moines. We connected with school counselors from across the state, providing them with valuable resources to better support students with OCD and anxiety.

Our impact by the numbers:

• 250 books distributed to counselors, including What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck, Stuff That’s Loud, and Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD.
• Resources from Anxiety in the Classroom and a list of local IOCDF-member treatment providers.
• Informational brochures about OCD and anxiety.
• OCD Iowa swag to spread awareness about our organization

2nd annual Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk

In 2024, our One Million Steps for OCD Walk brought together 189 walkers and community members at Gray’s Lake in Des Moines. With your incredible support, we raised over $12,800 to fund research, advocacy, and community programs for OCD and related disorders right here in Iowa.

Thanks to you, the Des Moines walk was the 3rd largest affiliate walk in the country, both in funds raised and attendance!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors who made this event possible and helped advance OCD Iowa’s mission. Your partnership is deeply appreciated.

1st annual Des Moines One Million Steps for OCD Walk

Our first official walk in 2023 at Gray’s Lake set the stage for a growing tradition in the Des Moines metro. We were thrilled with the turnout and community engagement in year two of our grassroots efforts.

Our Grassroots Beginnings

Our very first walk was held in 2022 at Easter Lake in Des Moines, bringing together a small but mighty group of individuals passionate about advocacy and change. That day sparked a movement, and we’ve grown each year since!