“Nao-OC ako.” Sounds familiar? Is it even a term we can use?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders in the Philippines. There is insufficient documentation of such cases in the country, the condition is generally treated more as a joke instead of a serious condition.
Leading mental health service provider In Touch Community Services recently partnered with OCD Pilipinas to shed light into this much misconceived mental health issue. The advocacy group organized the first OCDare to Share in the Philippines, a gathering that was originated by the International OCD Foundation as a “casual get together dedicated to starting a conversation about OCD”. The mental health advocates brought together persons with OCD (PwOCD), their loved ones, and mental health advocates in a safe space to share experiences and learnings. Aside from the face-to-face event, a virtual meeting was made to enable more people to join in the activity.
Volunteer Julian Marc Lianza said, “This activity laid the foundation for a supportive and empathetic environment where everyone felt welcome and comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.” He also observed that event participants included people who were curious about OCD and wished to learn how to be a proactive advocate.
In Touch lauded the event as insightful and empowering. The non-profit organization will continually seek similar partnership opportunities in fulfillment of its mission of supporting advocacy, awareness, and education activities to reduce the stigma of mental health in the Philippines.
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We are pleased to announce that our Penelope Case Management system is now LIVE.
In Touch has specially designed the training to ensure takeaways included learning different tools that will help trainees provide a safe space for people to work out their stressors and learn the benefits of workplace counseling.
Kindly be advised that In Touch Community Services will be operating at a limited capacity during the holiday season (December 18 – January 1).
Keeping In Touch: (from left) In Touch Head of Psychological Services Unit Dr. Julian Montano, Mental Health Services Lead Myrtle Almando, US Embassy Medical Unit rep Mimi Thein, US EMU Regional Medical Officer Psychiatrist Andrea Ross, In Touch Executive Director Mike Calleja, In Touch Foreign Liaison Program relationship managers Marielle Mikkelsen and Daisy Pope-Brien.
Volunteer Julian Marc Lianza said, “This activity laid the foundation for a supportive and empathetic environment where everyone felt welcome and comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.”
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