OCD Awareness Week (#OCDweek) is a worldwide event that serves to dispel myths about obsessive compulsive disorder, break the stigma around mental illness, and provide education about the disorder and how to support those affected. For the over 200 million people worldwide living with OCD, public misconception can prevent them from accessing the timely, effective treatment they need to move from suffering to thriving. This #OCDweek, whether you share facts, tell your own story, or otherwise support OCD Awareness Week, you are making a powerful difference.
Want to get involved? Here's how!
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OCD Awareness Week Hub: Start here—key info, shareable graphics, and rolling updates to plan your part.
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Host an Event or Fundraiser: Plan one—step-by-step guide, tips, and calendar submission to spotlight your effort.
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Share Your Story with Media: Tell your story—pitch template, training deck, and outreach tips to land local coverage.
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Light It Up Teal: Illuminate your city—venue contacts, scripts, and request forms for landmark lighting.
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Join #TogetherAgainstOCD: Mobilize online—daily post prompts and assets to rally your networks.
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Walk Around the World (Oct 18): Join the movement—register, fundraise, and connect via WhatsApp.
#TogetherAgainstOCD
Led by IOCDF spokesperson Aly Raisman, #TogetherAgainstOCD unites people worldwide to counter isolation, reduce stigma, and share real understanding of OCD. Add your voice—when we connect and speak up, no one faces OCD alone.
How you can take part:
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People with lived experience: Share your story, join the online conversation, connect with others.
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Supporters & families: Listen, share what you’ve learned, invite others to learn more.
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Clinicians & health pros: Highlight evidence-based care, share resources, engage your networks.
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Researchers: Share findings, explain impact, connect science to community needs.
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Everyone: Learn, challenge myths, share accurate info, and amplify support.
Need post ideas? Take a look at our prompts and tag your posts with #TogetherAgainstOCD and #OCDWeek (and tag @iocdf).
#TogetherAgainstOCD Prompts
Shareable OCD Facts
Share the graphics on your social media using the hashtag #OCDweek and tagging @iocdf to help dispel public misconceptions about OCD! Click to open the graphics below and then right-click and Save Image As to download.
Make sure to follow us on social media and tag @iocdf when sharing graphics and facts about OCD.
Shining a Light for OCD Awareness
Each year during OCD Awareness Week, buildings, bridges, and structures around the world light up teal for OCD Awareness Week. This lighting campaign helps to bring increased recognition to the realities of OCD and each shining monument serves as a beacon of hope to those impacted and their families and support systems. Click here to explore our step-by-step guide and see how you can help light up approved landmarks in your community.
See the full list of landmarks lit teal during 2024 OCD Awareness Week
Walk Around the World – Saturday, October 18
Join our global day of action for anyone registered for the OCD Community Walk. Wherever you are, take a walk in your neighborhood or favorite park, share photos, and tag @iocdf to be featured. Registrants receive event updates, fundraising tips, and a link to our WhatsApp group to connect with walkers worldwide. Register for the OCD Community Walk.
Educate Yourself
OCD is a debilitating mental disorder that affects 1 in 40 adults in their lifetime and 1 in 100 children but is often overlooked and belittled as a personality quirk or choice. In reality, OCD is a very real disorder that affects people of all ages and walks of life.
Access Resources
Do you think you might have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? Use our OCD screening tool to help determine if you (or a loved one) are experiencing OCD symptoms. Its confidential, quick, and free!
Spread the word with the media
You can make a difference by spreading the word about OCD Awareness Week and the realities of living with OCD to your local media. We've created a one-stop Media Center for our advocates, making sending media information and resources via email as simple as possible.
The Media Center has pre-written (and customizable!) emails for you to use and a full directory of media outlets in your area — all you have to do is enter your zip code.
Contact elected officials about the issues
This #OCDweek, educate yourself on the latest information about bills in the US Congress that support the needs of the OCD and related disorders community. Your representatives and senators are considering these changes to public policy, and they need to hear from you about why they are so critical.
Make a difference by contacting your local officials about the issues important to you!