For all the Canadians out there - NEW HOPE!

[Guest guest]

I recently watched W5, featuring a segment on OCD and the lack of expert

treatment available in Canada. If you would like to see it, the link is below.

Featured in this program was a Psychologist, Dr. Debbie Sookman, located in

Montreal, where she has a specialized clinic for OCD - who knew??? I wanted to

offer this to those of you out there looking for such a place. She has a long

wait list, but what else is new? She's treated 7000 people with OCD, so I think

she's worth standing in line for

Here is the link to the W5 program -

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/WFive/20120413/w5-obessive-compulsive-disorders-ocd-12\

0413

Link to article about Dr. Sookman -

" Lack of expertise on OCD putting sufferers at risk, says world-renowned expert.

New Institute headed by McGill researcher will focus on training, better

dissemination of knowledge. "

http://www.longwoods.com/newsdetail/2188

Also, and even more exciting, as I searched for further information, I learned

of the newly formed Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, whose

mandate it is to improve access and " quality " of treatment of OCD. Here is a

quote -

" The Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is dedicated to

improving the quality and accessibility of specialized clinical care for

children, adolescents, and adults who are suffering from Obsessive Compulsive

Disorder (OCD) across Canada. Additional specialized OCD Treatment Centers and

development of specialty residential programs for severe OCD are required for

Canadian sufferers. The need for dissemination of expertise and increased

resources to effectively assess and treat OCD is urgent. "

Further, part of the mandate of the Canadian Affiliate Outreach Educational

Program (CAOEP) is input from consumers, and I quote " The CAEOP mandate includes

consumer representation and input from every Canadian province and region.

Community leaders, local groups, and OCD sufferers and their families are

invited to become involved and to network with the Institute. "

Here is the link to read about the institute and their full mandate -

www.ciocd.ca

Lastly, The Canadian OCD Network is in process, with various initiatives, yet to

be announced, but will be launching their website in mid-May. I'll keep you

posted! Dr. , our group's psychiatric consultant, located in Vancouver,

is a leader in this initiative.

Nice to hear some encouraging news about access to expert treatment for OCD!!!

I expect it will take some time for this to result in actual treatment providers

with expertise, but at the very least things are moving in a direction - AND YOU

CAN COMMUNICATE TO SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR NEEDS NOW, they are asking for input!!!

Please go to the link above to learn how to give your input, or to become

involved.

Yours in the quest for adequate care,

Barb