The Battling Mind Striders continue a month of awareness, advocacy, and community
Meet the founder of the Battling Mind Striders, Jacob Witter
From BMS, Follow them on Facebook, photo from 2025 clean up effort
The Battling Mind Striders held their 3rd event of Schizophrenia Awareness Month. There was a good turn-out for the showing of “Canvas” (2006).
This powerful movie chronicles the effects of schizophrenia on a family. It is based on a true story.
The next event is a Volunteer Outdoor Work Session at Hart Comfort House (141 East State St in Wellsville) scheduled for May 23 from 10:00-noon.
Please bring your own rakes, trowels, etc. as we work together to spruce up the grounds around the Comfort House.
Comfort House of Allegany County, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation known as Hart Comfort House, offers free comfort care for those in their last three months of a terminal illness.
If you attend you can be entered into a drawing for some local gift certificates.
Did you know that the group founder, Wellsville’s Jacob Witter, was named to the NAMI Advisory Committee? Read his updated biography below:
Jacob Witter, National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI) Schizophrenia Advisory Committee Member
Jacob Witter graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2013 (Cum Laude) and then attended graduate school at Ohio State University College of Social Work from 2013–2014. His first hospitalization occurred while he was at OSU. He has been hospitalized four other times, with his most recent in 2019. He volunteers for a few organizations, graduated from several mental health programs, and founded a mental health group called Battling Mind Striders in 2024. BMS focuses on advocating, hosting events, starting a scholarship fund, and, most importantly, walking each Saturday to support better mental health. Jacob loves health and fitness.
Since he was young, he liked running in school and in college, where he founded a running club at Bonas and participated in an ultramarathon in 2025. He is blessed for the support and especially to his family as it’s hard living with schizophrenia. He currently takes Clozapine. Jacob won’t let his diagnosis win, and will continue to persevere, advocate, and be a beacon of hope for those living with schizophrenia. God bless!
