OCD
In Partnership with
The Peace of Mind Foundation
Welcome to the A2A OCD Advocacy Resource Center (ARC), an outreach project of the nonprofit Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance, in partnership with Peace of Mind, aiming to help individuals impacted by OCD step into OCD advocacy.
We hope you’ll be inspired by our A2A Advocates impacted by OCD, and we invite you to listen to our A2A Spotlight features and A2A 1-on-1 interviews sharing powerful stories of how individuals impacted by OCD are turning adversity into advocacy.
While you’re here, we hope you’ll join our OCD Messages of Hope campaign. Give hope. Get hope. All in 30 seconds. And if you’re interested in sharing YOUR story with the help of one of our professional journalists, let us know!
Oh, and please be sure to add your name to our Wall of Allies, so you can show your support for our advocates. If you’d like, we’ll also send you our free monthly e-newsletter.
Meet our A2A Advocates
Chrissie Hodges
Chrissie Hodges Adversity: Undiagnosed OCD Advocacy: Pure OCD Advocate "I started my advocacy to help others know they are not alone and recovery is possible for Pure OCD. Little did I know by hearing other's stories, struggles, and seeing their resiliency...
Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith Adversity: OCD Advocacy: Shares his story as a keynote speaker. "I was told early in my treatment, 'The best thing you can do for your OCD is to help others.' Not only have I found that statement true but necessary. Every person I speak with,...
Barbara Claypole White
Barbara Claypole White Adversity: Son diagnosed with OCD at age 8 Advocacy: Uses fiction writing and blogging to provide hope to those with OCD "Readers often say, ‘I’ve never told anyone this before…’ And the book clubs I visit turn into therapy. People...
Ro Vitale
Ro Vitale Adversity: Diagnosed with severe OCD Advocacy: Speaks, writes and sings in English and Spanish to support others with OCD Photo by: Santiago Giovanetti “There’s much beauty in being of service to someone that’s battling the same adversity....
Susan Dailey
Susan Dailey Adversity: Daughter diagnosed with PANDAS Advocacy: Joined other parents in advocating for PANDAS research & education "I just don’t think it’s possible to walk away [from PANDAS advocacy] when I know another family will wake up to this...
Chris Trondsen
Chris Trondsen Adversity: Battled Body Dysmorphic Disorder and OCD Advocacy: Became a mental health advocate and clinician to help others with similar challenges “Helping others keeps me on my toes. I can’t talk about, ‘Hey, you should not give into your...
Liz McIngvale
Liz McIngvale Adversity: Diagnosed with severe OCD in her teens Advocacy: Created Peace of Mind Foundation to support others with OCD ...
Kevin Putman
Kevin Putman Adversity: Became debilitated by OCD in 2010 Advocacy: Started a grassroots movement to raise OCD awareness "It really makes me tick inside to know that what Im doing is helping other people. And it also keeps me close to OCD. It keeps me...
Jeff Bell
Jeff Bell Adversity: Battled severe and debilitating OCD Advocacy: Became a national spokesman for OCD and cofounded A2A "For me, adversity-driven advocacy offers the ultimate Greater Good motivation: through service to others, I get a sense of purpose...
Patti Lowery
Patti Lowery Adversity: Son and daughter both have OCD Advocacy: Co-founded Adversity 2 Advocacy and provides support for parents of children with OCD “When I see that I’ve helped someone it just lifts my spirits. I feel like I now have a focus in life, a...
A2A Spotlight Features
Spotlight: Clint Malarchuk
A2A feature on Clint Malarchuk as heard on KCBS Radio: A2A Founder Jeff Bell talks with former NHL goalie Clint Malarchuk about his long-secret battles with depression, OCD, and PTSD, and his new memoir, "A Matter of Inches." To learn more about Clint and his...
A2A 1-on-1 Interviews
Mary Wilson
A2A 1-on-1 host Liz Saint John talks one-on-one with Mary Wilson about her experience living with OCD and how she's turned adversity into advocacy with blogs, poems and essays, and improv.
A2A 1-on-1 host Liz Saint John talks one-on-one with Jeffrey Sparr about his experience with OCD and how he's turned adversity into advocacy with Peace Love Studios, a joint venture with his cousin, to help others living with mental illness find peace through creative...
A2A 1-on-1 host Liz Saint John talks one-on-one with Margaret Sisson about the loss of her son, Riley, who suffered from OCD and addiction, and the foundation she created in his name. Learn more about Margaret's advocacy: Riley's Wish Foundation
A2A 1-on-1 host Liz Saint John talks one-on-one with Joe Alterman, a critically acclaimed professional jazz pianist and composer, about his journey from OCD to OCD advocacy. Learn more about Joe's advocacy: Why I'm No Longer Mad at the Girl From High School Who...
A2A 1-on-1 guest host Jeff Bell talks one-on-one with Chrissie Hodges, host of Two Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, about her journey from OCD to OCD advocacy. Learn more about Chrissie's advocacy: Two Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Chrissie's Blog Chrissie on...
A2A 1-on-1 guest host Jeff Bell talks one-on-one with Alison Dotson, author of Being Me with OCD: How I Learned to Obsess Less and Live My Life, about her journey from OCD to OCD advocacy. Learn more about Alison's advocacy: Alison's Website OCD Twin Cities "Being Me...