What Is OCD Awareness Week?

OCD Awareness Week is an annual event that occurs worldwide.

Its main goals are to:

• Reduce the stigma surrounding obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Dispel the myths associated with OCD.
• Educate the public about this condition and how to support people living with OCD.
• Help more people get access to appropriate and effective OCD treatment.

Launched in 2009 by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), OCD Awareness Week takes place annually during the second full week of October.

This event has grown over the years to become an international effort, with organizations across Canada and around the world participating.

In 2024, this awareness week will be taking place from October 13th to October 19th, with thousands of events taking place across the globe.

Canada's Involvement in OCD Awareness Week

Canadian organizations and mental health advocates participate in OCD Awareness Week through various initiatives, including:

1. Educational events and webinars hosted by mental health organizations
2. Social media campaigns using hashtags like #OCDweek and #OCDAwareness
3. Support group meetings and activities organized by local OCD foundations.
4. Awareness walks and fundraising events

For example, the Alberta Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (aocdf) hosts OCD Games Night and Information Presentations during OCD Awareness Week.

Why Is OCD Awareness Week Important?

In Canada, the prevalence of diagnosed OCD is 0.93% of the population. This amounts to about 400,000 Canadians. Moreover, globally, it impacts over 200 million people.

Despite the fact that so many people will be impacted by OCD globally, many people with OCD struggle to find the support they need.

People with OCD in Canada tend to be younger and more likely to have lower incomes, making cost and age a barrier to accessing support.

On average, it takes 14 to 17 years for adults with OCD to receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

For adults, there is typically a 6-year gap between first experiencing minor symptoms and the onset of OCD, followed by an additional 11 years before receiving treatment.

In addition, there are many misconceptions associated with OCD. It is often misunderstood or trivialized as just a personality quirk, when in reality it is a debilitating mental disorder.

This stigma and lack of understanding can lead to:

• Reluctance to seek help due to shame or embarrassment
• Difficulty in personal relationships and social functioning
• Challenges in work or academic environments

OCD Awareness Week is crucial to promoting awareness, breaking barriers, and reducing this stigma so that all individuals with OCD have the resources and support they need to thrive.

Not only this, but OCD is related to suicide. 36% of those diagnosed with OCD report lifetime suicidal thoughts. Therefore, raising awareness about OCD and treatment options can be a suicide prevention measure.

Lastly, we can create a community model of care for those struggling with OCD and their families.

This awareness week brings together individuals, families, mental health professionals, and organizations to do so.

Myths and Facts About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Dispelling the myths associated with OCD is crucial for improving the way society views OCD and providing individuals with OCD with more timely access to support.

Addressing these misconceptions is also vital for several other reasons, including:

1. Reduced stigma: challenging the way OCD is currently viewed and shifting the narrative to one that views OCD as a legitimate mental health condition could help to reduce stigma and discrimination towards those with OCD.
2. Enhanced empathy and support: understanding what someone is going through is a vital step to enhancing your level of empathy for them. Improving your understanding of OCD can help you better support those living with OCD.
3. Building a supportive world: Educating the public about all the facts associated with OCD helps create a more inclusive and supportive community.
4. Reduced isolation: if individuals with OCD are aware of others who have made it through similar struggles, they may be more likely to seek support for their OCD and less likely to isolate themselves.

Here are some common misconceptions about OCD and the realities behind them:

Myth 1: OCD is just about being clean and organized.

Reality: While contamination fears and compulsive cleaning are common symptoms for some, OCD exists on a spectrum and has a wide range of different types of compulsions and obsessions. Many people with OCD experience symptoms unrelated to cleanliness or organization. Other types of obsessions can involve themes such as harm, sexuality, religion, responsibility, and identity.

Myth 2: OCD is a minor personality quirk.

Reality: OCD is not a weakness or a personality flaw. It's a mental health condition that impacts an individual's functioning and ability to perform daily life activities. The condition causes unwanted thoughts and behaviors that are difficult to control.

Myth 3: Everyone has "a little OCD."

Reality: Mental health conditions should not be used as adjectives. Using these conditions as adjectives dismisses the suffering with OCD. You may like things to be clean or neat, but this is not the same thing as having a diagnosed mental health condition. OCD is far more than liking things to be clean.

Myth 4: OCD is rare.

Reality: OCD is relatively common, affecting approximately 0.93% of the Canadian population, or 2 million people globally. This means that many individuals are directly or indirectly affected by this condition.

Myth 5: OCD can be cured by willpower.

Reality: OCD has a wide range of causes, including neurological and psychological ones. It is a mental health condition that requires professional treatment, including therapy or medications. It is not something that will go away with willpower.

Myth 6: Compulsions are always physical actions.

Reality: Compulsions exist on a spectrum and can be both physical and mental. While some compulsions are physical, such as handwashing or checking, others are mental and internal, such as mental counting or reviewing past events.

Challenging these myths and sharing accurate individuals related to OCD allows us to create a more supportive environment for those affected by the condition.

The Impact of OCD on Youth Mental Health

OCD can have wide-ranging impacts on the mental health of youth. These can include academic challenges, social and emotional developmental issues, and the presence of conditions that could create new obsessions during adolescence.

Here is a brief overview of how OCD impacts youth:

Academic Challenges

OCD symptoms may interfere with a student's academic performance and how a student experiences school. They may:

• Have difficulty concentrating on school activities due to their OCD thoughts.
• Spend an excessive amount of time at their school due to perfectionism or compulsions.
• Avoid subjects or activities that trigger obsessions.
• Experience school anxiety and have frequent absences due to anxiety or rituals at home.

Social and Emotional Development

Oftentimes, the teen years involve the most social and emotional development for a youth. OCD can cause a marked disruption in a child's development due to:

• Isolation from peers
• Difficulty forming relationships
• Low self-esteem

A student with OCD may also have an increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders, which can also create a disruption to the child's development.

New Sources of Obsessions

There are unique experiences that occur during adolescents that can make new obsessions more likely to appear. These include:

• Sexual identity and relationships
• Moral and religious questions
• Body image concerns
• Academic and career pressures

Teens with OCD may struggle more with the uncertainty associated with each of these areas.

How to Observe OCD Awareness Week

OCD Awareness Week features various activities to engage the public. There are many practical ways individuals, schools, and communities can participate to foster understanding and empathy. Here are some suggestions:

For Individuals

1. Share on social media: The hashtags #OCDweek, #OCDAwareness, and #IOCDF spread awareness and facts about OCD. You can use these hashtags on your social media platforms to do so.
2. Participate in events: Join local walks, webinars, conferences, or support groups organized for OCD Awareness Week.
3. Paint your nails teal: teal is the color that represents OCD awareness. You could share photos of social media with your nails painted in this color.
4. Educate yourself: Read books, watch documentaries, or attend online seminars about OCD to deepen your understanding.
5. Share your story: If you have OCD, your story is personal. If you feel comfortable sharing your story, you could do so on a blog, social media, or through other platforms. Sharing your experiences may help others understand the reality of living with OCD.

For Schools

1. Host educational assemblies: Invite mental health professionals, OCD advocates, and those with lived experience to speak to students about OCD.
2. Organize awareness activities: get all students to wear teal to school and promote awareness of OCD through watching shows and reading materials about OCD.
3. Incorporate OCD education into curriculum: Use OCD Awareness Week as an opportunity to discuss mental health in an age-friendly manner.
4. Screen "UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie": This family-friendly film can help students understand OCD better.
5. Train staff: Provide training for all staff so that they can recognize the symptoms of OCD in their students and learn how to refer students to appropriate resources.

For Communities

1. Host a One Million Steps for OCD Walk: this walk occurs across many areas of the globe. You could organize or participate in this awareness-raising event in your local area to raise awareness and fundraise for OCD.
2. Arrange public screenings: Show OCD-related documentaries or films at local community centers or libraries.
3. Partner with local mental health organizations: Collaborate to offer OCD screenings, informational sessions, and resources to the community.
4. Create a support group: Start a local OCD support group to make people feel less isolated if they live with OCD.
5. Engage local media: Reach out to local news outlets to cover OCD Awareness Week events or share information about OCD.

Other Ideas

1. Attend the Online OCD Conference: This event typically occurs in November and offers a wealth of information and resources.
2. Challenge OCD stereotypes: Use this week to educate others about common misconceptions surrounding OCD.
3. Encourage empathy: Share stories and experiences that help others understand the challenges faced by those with OCD.
4. Promote available resources: Share information about OCD treatment options, support groups, and helplines.
5. Donating to YMHC: As a registered community-based, youth-driven, and educator-led charitable non-profit organization, we have a strong focus on young people, family, school, and community engagement. We are not government- or grant-supported, so we rely on donations from community members to keep our services and programs going. Creating your own fundraiser is also an opportunity to get community members involved.

By participating in these activities, you could help to improve the understanding of OCD.

Tips for Supporting Individuals With OCD

Here are some key strategies for friends, family, and educators to provide meaningful support to individuals living with OCD:

Educate Yourself About OCD

1. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for OCD.
2. Understand that OCD common misconceptions related to OCD and the realities associated with these myths.
3. Recognize that OCD manifests differently in different people.

Encourage Treatment

1. Help your loved one find appropriate, effective treatment from a qualified professional.
2. Support their participation in cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication regimens.
3. Offer to accompany them to therapy appointments if desired.

Provide Emotional Support

1. Listen without judgment and validate their feelings.
2. Offer a hug or other emotional support.
3. Be patient and understanding, as recovery takes time.

Establish Healthy Boundaries

1. Agree on an approach for responding to OCD behaviors.
2. Communicate clearly about what you can and cannot do to help.
3. Take care of your own physical and emotional well-being.

Create a Supportive Environment

1. Maintain a positive environment at home or in the classroom.
2. Reduce stress and anxiety triggers.
3. Provide a safe space for the person to practice exposure exercises.

Tips for Educators

Offer Accommodations

Teachers can implement strategies to help students with OCD succeed academically, including:

1. Considering a peer education program to foster understanding among classmates.
2. Extended time for tests and assignments.
3. Use of laptops for writing to reduce erasing/rewriting.
4. Private testing rooms to minimize distractions.
5. Seating arrangements to reduce triggers.
6. Allowing breaks or an "escape route" when symptoms flare up.

Promote Self-Care

1. Encourage regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep habits.
2. Suggest relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing.
3. Support participation in enjoyable activities and hobbies.

Be Patient and Consistent

1. Recognize that recovery is a process with ups and downs.
2. Maintain a consistent approach in your interactions and support.
3. Celebrate small victories and progress along the way.

Create a Supportive Environment

Educators can foster understanding among peers and reduce stigma by:

1. Implementing peer education programs about OCD.
2. Using a "buddy system" to provide support.
3. Maintaining confidentiality while addressing the student's needs.

Implementing these strategies can provide meaningful support to individuals with OCD. This could help them develop strategies to effectively manage their OCD.

But remember that professional help is crucial for the treatment of OCD. Your job is to provide support but not replace professional treatment.

Collaboration with Mental Health Professionals

Teachers should work closely with mental health professionals to ensure consistent support and implementation of these strategies.

OCD Awareness and the Importance of Mental Health Education

OCD Awareness Week plays an important role in promoting the importance of mental health education in schools.

Here are some key ways this awareness initiative can make a difference:

Promoting Teacher Education

During OCD Awareness Week, teachers are encouraged to educate themselves on OCD to:

1. Improve recognition: teachers often spend a lot of time with their students in the classroom. They are a key person for helping to identify the early signs of OCD in their students and helping to get them connected to early interventions and supports.
2. Increase knowledge: Brief educational interventions during this week can significantly increase teachers' knowledge about OCD symptoms, causes, and treatments.
3. Reduce stigma: Education can help reduce stigmatizing attitudes among teachers related to OCD, which can create a more welcoming environment for students.

Enhancing Classroom Support

Awareness initiatives can help teachers learn new ways to support their students with mental health challenges, including:

1. Classroom accommodations: Teachers can learn about helpful strategies such as providing extended time for tests and assignments.
2. Creating supportive environments: Teachers can implement strategies like developing a "buddy system" for peer support.

Encourage Early Intervention

OCD Awareness Week can emphasize the importance of early identification and intervention:

1. Referral pathways: Teachers can learn about how to refer students to school counselors or mental health professionals.
2. Collaboration with mental health professionals: this week could highlight the importance of professionals working together to more effectively support students with OCD.

Fostering a Supportive School Community

The awareness week can promote initiatives to create a more understanding and supportive school environment:

1. Peer education programs: Schools can implement programs to educate students about OCD, reducing stigma and fostering empathy among peers.
2. Parent involvement: Awareness initiatives can include resources and education for parents, helping to create a supportive environment both at school and at home.

Integrating OCD Education into Curriculum

OCD Awareness Week can encourage schools to incorporate mental health education, including OCD, into their regular curriculum. This can be done through:

1. Mental health literacy: Schools can use this week as a starting point to introduce or enhance mental health education programs that include information about OCD and other anxiety disorders.
2. Ongoing education: Rather than limiting education to a single week, schools can be encouraged to provide continuous education and support throughout the year.

By leveraging OCD Awareness Week to focus on these areas, schools can significantly improve their ability to support students with OCD through early intervention, appropriate accommodations, and a more understanding school community.

YMHC Resources for OCD Awareness Week

Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC) is committed to supporting those who live with mental health challenges, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Here are some of the resources we offer:

• Mental Wellness Workbooks: Our mental wellness workbooks are designed to help individuals develop coping strategies to better support themselves and others with mental health challenges. These workbooks incorporate evidence-based practices such as CBT and DBT and are available in multiple formats. Explore our workbooks.

• Mental Health Booklets: These booklets are designed to support you in developing a plan for wellness and understanding your thoughts and feelings. Explore our booklets.

• Multilingual Posters: Mental health motivation posters are a great way to promote awareness of mental wellness in your community. They also provide people with mental health challenges with uplifting messages that could support them in times of struggle. You can order these mental wellness posters in multiple languages to support your own wellness or the wellbeing of your community.

• Workshops and Presentations: YMHC offers workshops and presentations tailored to various audiences surrounding the topics of mental health and coping strategies. These workshops could be provided to a variety of audiences, including students, parents, educators, and community organizations. Request a workshop.

• Merch: We have a variety of mental wellness gifts you could purchase for yourself or someone you care about. You could also purchase the products for your entire school community. We have t-shirts, sweaters, dog bandanas, cups, stickers, buttons, stuffed animals, coffee mugs, pillows, notebooks, and more. You can select from products with the YMHC logo, animal puns, Every Child Matters, or customize your own product.

• Training Courses: Our training courses provide in-depth knowledge and skills to educators, mental health professionals, and community members. They help you learn how to support individuals with mental health challenges. Learn more about our training courses.

• Support services: We offer a variety of support services to support you with your mental wellness. These services include peer support programs, the heart-to-heart campaign, and daily messages of support to help individuals and families navigate mental health and substance use challenges.

These resources and the various activities you can participate in during OCD Awareness Week could help you to become more understanding of OCD and more equipped to support yourself or someone struggling.

Together, we can work to promote education, reduce the stigma surrounding OCD, and save lives. You could be a part of systemic changes. Read about how YMHC is making a difference and how you can donate to us as a registered charity organized here.