VERMILION — A 24-year-old Indiana man walking across the United States to raise money for mental health awareness made his way through Vermilion this week, part of a larger journey that began near the Indiana-Ohio border and is expected to take him to Niagara Falls before he continues west toward California.
Johnathan McKracken, 24, of Richmond, Indiana, near the Ohio border, said he began the walk after years of thinking about doing something meaningful and challenging. At first, he considered supporting several causes, including cancer charities, veterans organizations and mental health nonprofits. But mental health became the cause that stood out most.
A Personal Reason for the Journey
McKracken, an Army veteran, said friends and family members have struggled with mental health, and he also lost his brother to suicide. That personal loss helped push him toward raising money for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
NAMI describes itself as the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, focused on improving the lives of people and families affected by mental illness. The organization provides advocacy, education, support and awareness through state organizations and local affiliates across the country.
McKracken said he has been in contact with NAMI by email and wants the money raised from his walk to support the organization. He said he had raised a little more than $400 so far, with much of the help coming from churches and people he has met along the way.
More Than 200 Miles So Far
The journey started near Richmond, Indiana, close to the Ohio border. From there, McKracken said he has made his way through western and northern Ohio, including communities such as New Madison, Jackson Center, Kenton, Upper Sandusky, Tiffin, Clyde, Bellevue, Norwalk and Vermilion.
By the time he reached the Vermilion area, McKracken said he had walked a little more than 200 miles, a distance that generally lines up with a route from the Indiana border through western and northern Ohio.
He hopes to reach Niagara Falls first before continuing west. His long-term goal is to make it to the coast, possibly California, though he said the exact route could change as the trip continues.
McKracken said he usually aims for about 20 to 25 miles per day, though some days are longer and others are shorter. He said he hopes to finish the walk by Halloween, depending on weather, safety and how the route develops.
Relying on Support From Town to Town
Along the way, McKracken has relied on churches, kind strangers and safe outdoor places to sleep. He said finding a place to sleep each night has been one of the hardest parts of the trip.
“When you don’t have churches, it’s like, where am I going to sleep?” he said.
McKracken said churches and people he has met along the way have helped with food, drinks, donations and places to stay. He said that support has made a major difference, both for his fundraising effort and for his ability to keep moving.
While the money raised for NAMI is intended to go to the organization, McKracken said some people have also helped him personally with food, drinks and travel needs as he continues the walk.
For those who meet him along the route, small acts of support could help him continue safely, whether that means a meal, water, a safe place to pitch a tent, a phone charge or encouragement as he makes his way toward Niagara Falls and beyond.
Finding Freedom on the Road
Still, McKracken said the journey has also shown him how kind people can be. He said pastors, churches and strangers have helped with food, shelter, donations and encouragement.
He said the walk has also given him a renewed sense of freedom after spending years in a job he did not feel connected to.
“That’s what I like about this, the free will aspect,” McKracken said. “You can just do whatever you want.”
Looking Ahead
McKracken said he enjoys the animals, small towns, roadside stands and unexpected moments along the way. He said one of the best parts of the walk so far was traveling along the North Coast Inland Trail near Bellevue.
For now, he plans to keep moving east toward Niagara Falls before deciding the next major stretch of the trip. As the route moves farther west, he said he wants to plan more carefully because water, heat and safe stopping points will become more important.
Anyone who wants to follow McKracken’s journey or support his walk can find his updates and donation links through his Linktree page. Donations can also be made directly through NAMI at nami.org.
For anyone struggling with mental health, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling, texting or chatting 988. Veterans and their loved ones can dial 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.