AOCDF July 2024 Newsletter |
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The Alberta OCD Foundation's 5th Annual BBQ Come join us for an evening of free food, games and mingling with like-minded individuals who are passionate about OCD and mental health advocacy! Location: Rundle Park Picnic Site #5 at 2909 113 Avenue, Edmonton AB Date: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 Time: 6:00-8:00pm Get your free ticket on Eventbrite by clicking the image below. Make sure you RSVP soon, as spots may fill up fast! *Tickets are required for a free meal. If tickets are sold out, you are still welcome to come for a chance to socialize and have fun with AOCDF volunteers and other guests! |
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AOCDF Adult OCD Support Group |
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The Alberta OCD Foundation's GOAL Adult OCD Support Groups are held online once a month. Join us at the next session at 7:00pm-9:00pm on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Find out more about the program and register for the next group by clicking the button below. |
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AOCDF Family & Caregiver OCD Support Group |
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The Alberta OCD Foundation's Family & Caregiver OCD Support Groups are held once a month. Join us in August at 5:45pm-7:30pm on Thursday, August 8, 2024 and meet other family members and caregivers of individuals who live with OCD. This session will be held in-person at College Plaza Conference Centre (8215-112 Street, Edmonton AB). Find out more about the program and register for the next group by clicking the button below. |
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A review from one our participants: "I really enjoyed the group on Thursday. I've been attending these sessions since near the beginning of the year and I find them very very helpful. I am grateful to connect with others in similar situations, hearing their stories - successes and challenges- is encouraging, connections to resources has been helpful, and (probably most importantly) bringing my family members to the groups helps ensure we have all heard the same information and are more likely to take a consistent approach with our loved one" |
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The September Family & Caregiver OCD Support Groups will be held virtually on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 7pm-8:30pm. |
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Family accommodation brings family members into the OCD cycle by enabling compulsions, further fueling obsessions and the anxiety caused by the disorder. It's also one of the important topics that will be discussed during the Family and Caregiver Support Group. See the video below to learn more about family accommodation from Natasha Daniels, a child therapist and OCD expert. |
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Breaking the OCD Cycle: The Power of Exposure and Response Prevention - 6 CE Credits |
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Janet Caryk, Registered Psychologist, will be presenting for the Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) about The Power of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy in treating OCD and anxiety disorders. This session is intended for all mental health professionals, other health professionals and students who would like to learn more about this evidence-based therapy. This session counts for 6 CE credits and will be hosted on: October 25, 2024 at 9:00am - 4:00pm MST Click the button below to see more information and to register for the session. |
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Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in OCD Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition marked by recurrent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors aimed at reducing distress (compulsions). Unfortunately, a large number of patients do not respond to currently available medication or stop taking them because of unpleasant side effects such as obesity or diabetes. Hence, there is clearly a need to explore alternative treatment options that are more effective and tolerable for individuals with these conditions. There is also evidence of interactions between the intestinal microbiota, the gut bacteria, and the central nervous system (CNS). We refer to this as the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis has been investigated in psychiatric conditions over the last years, and in this study, we further look into this link by assessing whether introducing healthy gut microbiota will positively affect the gut-brain axis and improve symptoms. This study is a clinical trial which examines whether transferring gut bacteria from a healthy donor to a person experiencing OCD can positively influence their symptoms. This study will treat the gut flora with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) therapy delivered through oral capsules. The length of this study is 16 weeks. This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB22-1179). For more information, please contact zuha.durrani@ucalgary.ca. |
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OCD and Hallucinogen Study |
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The University of Macquarie in Sydney, Australia is recruiting for a study on the impacts of psychedelics on OCD symptoms. If you are 18+ and reside in Canada, USA, Australia or New Zealand, you can share your insights and experiences through an online survey and/or an interview. Click the button below to learn more! |
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Make a difference in the lives of those affected by OCD |
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As a grassroots Foundation, we rely on the public for generous donations for the operations of the Foundation, including the website, events, and supplies. All the work done by board members is on a volunteer basis. If you would like to donate to the foundation, you can visit our GoFundMe Page. We greatly appreciate it! |
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Volunteer with the AOCDF! |
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The AOCDF is looking for passionate individuals to join the Board of Directors and our group of casual volunteers! The following positions are available: Family and Caregiver Director This role holds the responsibility of facilitating the monthly Family and Caregiver Support Groups and providing overall support to the team in creating community and destigmatizing mental health issues. Lived Experience Director This role represents the individuals whom we serve and works to ensure that programming and services reflect the needs of the OCD community through relationship-building and advocacy. If you are interested in applying or learning more about these volunteer opportunities, please send an email to ocdalberta@gmail.com. |
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Submit your story to our blog! |
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Has OCD affected your life? You're not alone. Share your story to help empower others and spread awareness about OCD. If you are interested, please send an email to ocdalberta@gmail.com. |
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