As part of our Lecture Series, we are excited to announce that Tom Smalley, a National OCD Advocate, will be our guest speaker at a virtual Zoom event on Wednesday, April 16th, at 7:30 p.m. He will discuss the topic of OCD in sports.

Tom is the founder of Struggle into Strength Performance, LLC. He is a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. Tom received his Master of Science in exercise and sports science from Merrimack College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Siena College.

Tom was diagnosed with OCD in 2014 at the age of 16 and, shortly after, became passionate about spreading awareness about what real OCD is. Tom was the recipient of the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award. He speaks at the annual International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) OCD conferences and schools around the Northeast. He has also appeared on a variety of blogs and podcasts.

In January 2021, Smalley became a Lead Advocate for the IOCDF and co-founded the Anxiety in Athletes initiative—a task force and online resource center with the help of the IOCDF in an effort to break the stigma around mental health in athletics.

Smalley has a strong passion for weightlifting and began competing in 2021, eight years after his mental health forced him to halt his athletic career. He is a USAW adaptive division 2x gold medalist.

Tom’s website is struggleintostrength.com.

To register for this event, click here.

Country singer Luke Combs, despite his immense public success, privately battles a challenging form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known as Pure O (A form of OCD where compulsions are primarily internal, mental rituals, rather than outward actions, like handwashing or checking, characterized by intrusive thoughts and crippling anxiety.) He describes experiencing a significant flare-up during his recent Australian tour, revealing that these thoughts are a daily struggle. Unlike typical OCD, his condition isn’t marked by visible compulsions, but rather an internal battle with unwanted, stressful thoughts.

Combs has learned to manage his Pure O, becoming “an expert” in navigating flare-ups, even while performing to massive crowds. He hopes his openness about his mental health will inspire others, demonstrating that success and personal struggles can coexist. He emphasizes that even superstars face challenges, and encourages those struggling to pursue their dreams. Combs’s relatable persona and genuine connection with his fans, along with his musical talent, contribute to his widespread popularity.

To read the entire article on the 60 Minutes Australia website, click here.

A global study found that only 6.9% of individuals with mental health or substance use disorders receive effective treatment, mainly due to a lack of recognition and inadequate care. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Medical School analyzed data from nearly 57,000 participants across 21 countries, revealing critical gaps in the treatment process. The biggest barrier is that many people do not recognize their need for help, and even those who seek medical care often do not receive adequate or effective treatment. The study highlights the need for better-trained general practitioners and evidence-based policy investments in mental health.

The research identified key drop-off points in the treatment process, showing that only 46.5% of those with a disorder recognized their need for care, and just 34.1% sought medical help. While 82.9% of those who did seek help received a minimum level of treatment, only 47% of them ultimately received effective care. These findings emphasize the need to train general practitioners in diagnosing and treating mild to moderate conditions and referring severe cases to specialists. The study provides a crucial evidence base to guide policy and funding decisions, helping policymakers target investments that improve access to effective mental health care worldwide.

To read the entire article on the SciTechDaily website, click here.

The Yale School of Medicine is conducting an OCD genetic study. The purpose of this study is to identify the genetic factors that cause OCD. This will greatly contribute to their understanding of OCD and may help develop new therapies in the future. This study requires participation from an individual with OCD and their biological parents, if possible. There is no age restriction to participate. The study can be done in-person or remotely, and participation will be compensated with a $100 Amazon gift card for a family or $30 for each individual. The Yale School of Medicine is not able to offer you a report of your genetic results because their studies are performed as research. Its research lab does not offer any treatment.

What do they need from you to participate?

1. Genetic Samples: They will obtain a blood sample and saliva sample for genetic analysis from the child and both parents. If a family member is unable to come to Yale University in person for a blood draw, they can send someone to your house to have this done at a convenient time for you.
2. Questionnaire: They will ask you to complete standardized questionnaires asking about how you and your child think, feel, and behave as well as questions about your medical and psychiatric history. These questionnaires can be completed from home, and they can assist with any questions or concerns.
3. Interview: Once you have completed the questionnaires and returned them to Yale, they will review them and set up a brief 15-20-minute phone call to review your responses.

The studies require participation from a child and both biological parents. Specifically, the Study Center is searching for families where the child (no age-restriction) is diagnosed with OCD/TS/Trichotillomania while the parents do not have the history. The studies can be done remotely and participation will be compensated with a $100 Amazon gift card for the family.

If you have further questions or are interested in participating in the study, please contact The Yale School of Medicine at [email protected], call them at (203)-677-0842, or use the following link to complete their study interest survey: https://yalesurvey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a2z1a5YDogG154i.

Click here to complete the referral form to participate in this class.
Click here to download the study’s flyer.

Zane Gonzalez, kicker for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, lives with OCD, a condition that intertwines his daily routines and professional life. Whether it’s brushing his teeth, setting an alarm, or preparing for a high-stakes playoff kick, his life revolves around repetitive rituals that he cannot escape. These urges, like adjusting his socks and helmet repeatedly before a game, may seem odd or comical to others but are essential for him to feel “just right.” While OCD can be exhausting and isolating, Gonzalez channels its demands into his craft, treating every kick — from an extra point to a game-winning field goal — as a routine perfected through muscle memory and precise mental patterns.

For Gonzalez, OCD paradoxically helps calm his nerves during the most stressful moments of his career, such as his 37-yard playoff-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the visible quirks, which have now become a source of curiosity for teammates, Gonzalez’s ability to perform under pressure is nothing short of inspirational. Experts highlight how most OCD sufferers endure their struggles in private, making his openness and success remarkable. As Gonzalez prepares for another critical game on Sunday, January 26, 2025, with a potential Super Bowl berth on the line, his journey reflects the resilience required to live and thrive with OCD, turning a perceived limitation into a unique advantage.

To read the entire article on the Washington Post website, click here.

Kevin Turner is a comedian and mental health advocate who uses his platform to share his experiences with OCD and related challenges. Diagnosed with OCD years after being misdiagnosed with anxiety during his time in the military, Kevin now incorporates his journey into his comedy routines. His show, Obsessive Comedy Disorder, blends dark humor and personal stories to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage conversations about mental health. Through his performances, he highlights the importance of therapy and support while helping audiences laugh at life’s messier, uncomfortable realities.

Kevin’s approach is both therapeutic and purposeful, using comedy as a form of exposure therapy to confront his intrusive thoughts and share his vulnerabilities. He credits organizations like the IOCDF and ADAA, as well as personal connections like his supportive aunt, who has OCD similar to his and is a member of IOCDF, for helping him navigate his mental health journey. For Kevin, the most rewarding part of his work is when people tell him after shows that his honesty helped them feel less alone or recognize their own struggles. His goal is to foster understanding, encourage treatment, and find healing—one joke at a time.

To read Kevin’s article on the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) website, click here.

The Online OCD Camp is a weekend full of interactive sessions, educational activities, and FUN for youth aged 6-17 who have OCD or a sibling with OCD. In addition to programming for elementary, middle, & high schoolers, OCD Camp also offers support for caregivers and families, including strategies and education about caring for a child with OCD and socialization with families with similar experiences.

You can choose from four audience tracks:

• Elementary Schoolers (Suggested Ages: 6–11)
• Middle Schoolers (Suggested Ages: 12–14)
• High Schoolers (Suggested Ages: 15–17)
• Parents and Caregivers

Registration Fees: $75 for your entire family. Click here for more information.

What do you think of when you hear the term “OCD”?

In pop culture, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are often portrayed as meticulous to an extreme degree. They’re highly organized, perfectionistic, or germophobic — like Jack Nicholson’s character in the film “As Good As It Gets”, who tosses out bars of soap after using them once.

Depictions like that aren’t inaccurate, but they’re not the whole story.

Research shows that 1 in 40 American adults have OCD or will develop it at some point in their lives, according to the International OCD Foundation. Although the term “OCD” is often used casually, the disorder must be diagnosed by a medical professional.

NPR wanted to take a closer look at how people with OCD cope with it every day. Click here to read the article.