Indianapolis, IN, July 30, 2016 – The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), celebrating its 30th anniversary as the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, recently honored #1 New York Times bestselling author John Green with the Illumination Award during its 23rd Annual OCD Conference.
Green is the author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. Green created the vlogbrothers YouTube channel with his brother in 2007 and a community of dedicated viewers developed around the videos. The viewers call themselves nerdfighters and celebrate thoughtfulness and complexity. Green uses this platform to open up about the reality of living with OCD and the importance of exercise, meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies.
The IOCDF Illumination Award recognizes influencers who have accurately and respectfully represented OCD and related disorders. Green uses his influencer status on social media and as a bestselling author to challenge stereotypes while fighting the stigma surrounding mental illness.
In popular culture, the term OCD has become a casual term for “perfectionist” or “neat,” something very different from the stark reality of the mental health disorder that affects the lives of nearly 3 million people in the United States, including children and teens.
In an effort to counter these powerful misconceptions about OCD, the IOCDF honors those in the media who portray OCD and related disorders in a respectful, accurate, and enlightening way with the Illumination Award.
“It can be really frustrating to see OCD parodied and over simplified in the media, on TV and in the movies,” says Green. “It’s an honor to be awarded for being open and sharing my own personal experiences – that means a lot to me and so does this award. I want to thank the International OCD Foundation for all the great work they are doing and the impact they make in so many lives, including mine.”
The IOCDF funds OCD research, trains professionals, helps patients access treatment and support, and oversees online resource centers for information on OCD, hoarding disorder and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). For more information, visit www.iocdf.org.
About The International OCD Foundation
The International OCD Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a donor-supported nonprofit organization, working to increase access to effective treatment, end the stigma associated with mental health issues, and foster a community for those affected by OCD and the professionals who treat them. Based in Boston, the IOCDF has affiliates in 22 states and territories, as well as 11 global partners. The IOCDF has a $2 million annual operating budget, has granted millions of dollars for OCD research, and is a vital resource for the estimated 1 in 100 individuals with OCD around the world. For more information, visit www.iocdf.org.
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Katie Stinchon, Teak Media
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