On Sunday, October 7th, OCD Southern California held major events in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego to kick off OCD Awareness Week. The focus of these events was not only to educate attendees on the disorder but also to create a sense of community and support as well.
In Los Angeles, OCD So Cal held a day of fun in the park! Attendees participated in OCD-themed face painting, pumpkin decorating, and games, such as confront-your-fears hopscotch. Attendees also had the pleasure of listening to some live music! OCD sufferers, family members, and clinicians joined together to make this a fun event for all!
In Orange County, participants had a fun day outdoors in the sun where they heard OCD success stories, were served a catered lunch, and participated in classic games such as a watermelon eating contest, a water balloon toss, and a three-legged race– all to earn prizes! A DJ played music while people met other people in their local OCD community, participated in OCD Jeopardy, got airbrushed tattoos, partook in a raffle, and more! The kids especially loved the bounce house!
San Diego held an OCD Awareness and Resource Carnival promoted by OCD clinicians, local schools, and mental health partners. Taking place at a local middle school, San Diegans came out for a day of fun, games, and activities that encompassed OCD exposures. Attendees participated in OCD Jeopardy, as well as a community art project where participants wrote their hopes and dreams on leaves and put them on a tree to symbolize how their life could flourish after working through their fears!
Other ways in which OCD Southern California participated in OCD Awareness Week was by holding the following activities during the week of October 7th through the 13th: San Diego hosted a resource table at a local community college at their “Check Your Mood” event. Also, OCD So Cal was at Cal State San Marcos for the 12th annual CAHM (Community Alliance for Healthy Minds) conference. We once again hosted a resource table where up to 500 people attended. Attendees were happy to learn about resources for OCD they were unaware existed. Finally, our vice president Chris Trondsen shared his story of recovery and initiated a call-to-action for others to do the same as part of the International OCD Foundation’s #RealOCD campaign!
Please check out our social media to see more pictures from the events! http://Facebook.com/OCDSoCal and http://Instagram.com/OCDSoCal