about ocd

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic and often misunderstood mental health condition. It involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform to reduce distress.

OCD is not a preference, personality trait or habit. Symptoms are time-consuming, distressing and can significantly affect a person’s ability to work, study, maintain relationships and participate fully in everyday life.

An estimated 3.6% of Australians aged 16–85 live with OCD — more than 700,000 people nationwide, including approximately 75,000 people in Western Australia. Despite its prevalence, access to timely, OCD-informed care remains limited.

about ocd WA

OCD WA is a Western Australian charity established in 2023 to advocate for people living with Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRDs) and to address longstanding gaps in understanding, access and support.

Founded by Dr Leigh Sheppard, OCD WA is grounded in lived experience. After decades of undiagnosed OCD and continued systemic barriers even following diagnosis, Leigh — alongside fellow advocates — created OCD WA to ensure people are no longer left to navigate OCD in isolation.

OCD WA exists to amplify lived experience, improve access to evidence-based care and strengthen the collective voice of the OCD community in Western Australia.

Governance, Integrity & Partnerships

OCD WA is:

  • Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)

  • Licensed under a Charitable Collections Licence

  • Endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) — donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible

  • A Global Partner of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), linking Western Australia with international expertise, research and advocacy in OCD care

what we do

PEER SUPPORT & CONNECTION

We deliver facilitated peer support groups and community events that create safe, validating spaces for people living with OCD and related disorders, as well as their supporters. These spaces prioritise dignity, autonomy and informed choice.

EDUCATION & CAPACITY BUILDING

We provide education for individuals, clinicians, educators and the broader community to improve understanding of OCD, promote evidence-based treatment, and reduce harm caused by misinformation and misidentification.

ADVOCACY & SYSTEMS CHANGE

We advocate for improved recognition of OCD, equitable access to effective care, and meaningful inclusion of lived experience in policy, service design and research. Our work focuses on long-term systems change, not short-term awareness alone.