OCD Awareness Week From OCD of Western Pennsylvania

On Thursday, October 14 OCF of Western Pennsylvania hosted two “OCD Community Open Mic Night” events. In both Erie and Pittsburgh, PA we were able to secure donated open, public space for the events from Borders Bookstore. At the Erie location all the chairs which had been set up were taken 45 minutes before the program started. People were dragging over chairs from the “reading nooks” and café as well as standing around the bookshelves. In the Pittsburgh, PA location all of the chairs set up were quickly filled resulting in a standing room only event.

Customers in both locations would stop by and listen to a speaker or two and wander off to continue their shopping. Laughter could be heard throughout the Pittsburgh store when Dr. Hudak gave an enthusiastic “Lets go lick some toilet seats” indicating that people were listening even when not in the program area. In Erie a nearby customer was seen wiping tears away as one little boy related having to work through his therapy.

In Pittsburgh we had approximately 30-40 "core" attendees and another 35-40 in Erie. About a dozen people got up to the microphone in Erie. In Pittsburgh, we had four people at the microphone, but actually turned into an open audience experience people shouted out questions or comments, and the speakers were quick to answer questions or explain things further.

Feedback at the end of the night was overwhelmingly positive. Many people were happy to finally have a chance to share their experience. The kids were inspirational, including ones who showed up to support their friends with OCD. Adults, therapists and family members joined in. Both locations had people stand up and speak later in the program even though they had no intention of doing so before the night began.

The Borders staff was very supportive and thanked us for choosing to hold the events at their stores. It ended up to be a nearly perfect location as we truly felt that we raised the awareness in the greater community while providing an outlet of support for the OCD community.

Hilary Zurbuch, MS, Vice President, OCF of Western Pennsylvania