Since our inception we’re very proud of our inclusivity, but this year with events around the world we have taken stock to look at what more we can do to try and understand the problems that those from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background face, in accessing support and treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
After witnessing the scenes across America during the summer we felt it was right to be clear that the OCD-UK team, as individuals and as an organisation, condemn all forms of racism and discrimination.
Whilst great progress has been made in recent years in the understanding and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and in addressing some of the stigma around OCD, we need to ensure that nobody is left behind.
As a service-user led charity, we know only too well some of the struggles that people face every single day because of their OCD, and we want to ensure that those from BAME communities do not face additional struggles.
It’s important that we open up the conversation to ensure those from BAME communities feel they have a voice across our organisation and we can ask that very important question “what else can we do to help?”.
Here in the UK we’re somewhat luckier compared to many parts of the world, since one of the founding principles of the NHS is that treatment is made available to everyone. But we need to make sure that skin colour or ethnic background is not a barrier to talking about OCD or preventing someone from seeking the help and treatment they need.
We want to understand what challenges those from BAME communities face in talking about OCD and seeking treatment.
Are there any additional barriers to accessing treatment here in the UK? Are there questions we are not asking, that we should be asking? Is the language we use in this article and on our website right?
We can’t promise to have all the answers right now, but our charity is committed to recognising the challenges and problems you encounter and that together we WILL work towards solutions.
We invite you to share your thoughts with us by emailing office@ocduk.org. All emails will (as always) be treated in the strictest of confidence.
