International OCD Foundation presents “A Night To Believe” October 15, 2011

Mental health awareness through art
Oct. 15

BOSTON | Artistic expression about mental illness through poetry, music, animation and storytelling will be on display in Boston and worldwide as the International OCD Foundation celebrates “A Night to Believe.”

On Oct. 15, during OCD Awareness Week, the International OCD Foundation and McLean Hospital will host a live event, which will be broadcast online and feature art, music, storytelling and more.

“A Night to Believe” begins at 6 p.m. at the de Marneffe Building at McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Belmont. The event is open to the public, with a suggested $10 donation at the door. Refreshments provided. The event includes silent auction to benefit the International OCD Foundation. The live Internet broadcast begins at 7 p.m. EST and can be viewed by visiting www.ocfoundation.org.

“Dare to Believe” is the foundation’s new campaign designed to challenge the stereotypes of mental illness and encourage OCD sufferers to commit to overcoming the disorder. The event will feature OCD sufferers who convey their stories though their art. In addition, speakers will include leading OCD experts who will share their personal stories about working with OCD patients and how research and treatments have changed.

“OCD is the doubting disease; patients find themselves in compulsive rituals because of the doubts in their minds,” said Jeff Szymanski, executive director of the International OCD Foundation. “Through our ‘Dare to Believe’ campaign we want OCD sufferers to confront and overcome those doubts, knowing that there is a larger community supporting them throughout their journeys.”

Event performers were selected through a public voting contest on the International OCD Foundation website and will be announced late this month. Winners from around the country will receive a free trip to Boston to participate in the event.

“Dare to Believe...together we can beat OCD” is one of the campaign’s signature messages that will be featured prominently during OCD Awareness Week, to be celebrated October 10 through 16, with events across the United States and Canada.

The International OCD Foundation is the nation’s leading resource and advocacy group for sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorder, their families, and medical professionals. The IOCDF funds research, provides access to treatment, educates professionals to treat OCD and annually presents the country’s largest national event dedicated to OCD and related disorders.

Some 4 million Americans suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. There is no cure for OCD, though its symptoms can be effectively managed through treatment including therapy and medication.

For more information visit www.ocfoundation.org or call 617-973-5801.