We are a community for people with lived experience of mental health to campaign for change.
Last month, one of IMHN’s trustees, Tracy Tainton, organised Lifting the Myth of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), an open discussion event that took place in North Bristol. The event was supported by the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN’s Bristol branch), and the Time to Change Bristol hub.
The event was attended by members of the public and local Councillors. Tracy, who lives with a diagnosis of OCD, lead discussions about what the condition means for her, and how media-misinterpretation of the condition can be harmful. A type of anxiety disorder, OCD is experienced in the form of obsession with intensely negative, repetitive and intrusive thoughts, fear of harm, and/or compulsive patterns of behaviour to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts. It is not just about cleanliness or neatness, and many people tend to over-use the term ‘OCD-ish’ without understanding the distressing and debilitating nature of the disorder in its severest form.
The first in a planned series, the session provided a relaxed opportunity to chat in small groups, listen to people with lived experience of OCD with family members and friends who support them. Another aim of the event was to gauge interest in an OCD support / social group, which Tracy is promoting. If you would like more information, please visit BIMHN’s website.
More About IMHN’s Work
The Independent Mental Health Network also campaigns to ensure that local mental health services provide the best possible care and access for patients, with input from service users themselves, and for there to be greater parity of esteem between mental and physical health. If you would like to know more about the Independent Mental Health Network, or the work of their Bristol branch, BIMHN, then please email engagement[@]imhn.org (taking out the brackets in the email address).
This picture shows Tracy (centre in front of the purple banner) accompanied by other Trustees of IMHN and local Councillors who supported her at the event.
August 30, 2019 at 12:18 pm