Zimbabwe OCD Trust

To raise awareness of the existence of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anxiety Disorders (AD), among Zimbabwean communities and to provide support.

Mission statement

Zimbabwe OCD Trust provides support to individuals and families of those diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anxiety Disorder (AD). We aim to end stigma associated with mental health disorders.We will achieve this through awareness, advocacy and community involvement.

Our mission is to:

Provide a platform for OCD and AD sufferers, to engage with each other, express their life challenges, without the prejudice of stigma associated with mental disorders in indigenous African cultures.
Raising general awareness of the existence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anxiety Disorder (AD) in communities.
To reduce the number of suicide cases associated with this disorder including sexual abuse of minors by people suffering from OCD.
To bring to the forefront for government and related stakeholders, the impact of OCD and AD and mental health at large, on the economic wellbeing of those affected, their immediate families and the economy at large.
To provide those with mental health conditions a tranquil place to heal in the form of Care Farms.

Summary of relevant work

The Zimbabwe OCD Trust is an advocacy trust founded in 2018 by Angelica Mkorongo a Zimbabwean Service User with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The Trust seeks to raise awareness of the existence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and its associated disorders with the goal of improving the quality of life among communities affected directly or indirectly by the disorder. In addition, the trust will be involved in developing a robust advocacy campaign to reflect the awareness problem and policy prioritization gap in OCD diagnosis and treatment interventions.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a disorder that is little known in Zimbabwe and hardly spoken about. Although some people know of the symptoms, they are usually associated with superstitious beliefs, witchcraft, evil spirits, supernatural healing powers.

The work that has been done so far was mainly to raise awareness of the disorder through social media, talks with different groups, radio talks, workshops. A lot more needs to be done. A support group with 32 members used to meet once a month before COVID -19 pandemic. We still give each other support on WhatsApp.

1. Psycho-social support to individuals who suffer from OCD and its associated disorders, anxiety and depression through

Counselling services
Support groups
Mobilization and training of peer educators
Support hotline
Creative therapies such as dance, art and music
Development of a resource directory with information and referrals to Mental Health practitioners and support systems
2. The provision of life skills in order to enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from OCD and related disorders, anxiety and depressions. This will be through training on communication, problem solving, critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and social skills.
3. Mental Health Rights advocacy engagement with religious leaders, community leaders and duty bearers such as policy makers, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and local government.