Four years ago today, I started this blog to be a place to write about having OCD. I didn’t know how long it would last, but I’m proud of myself for keeping it up this long (and I plan to keep it going). I’m also proud of myself for how my mental health advocacy has grown beyond this blog with school clubs, speaking engagements, and more.

For once I don’t really have the words to describe how surreal it all is. So instead, here is a journey via photographs of my evolution as a mental health advocate, from hiding my face to jumping and shouting for all the world to hear.

right after being diagnosed, for a project on Ellen’s OCD Blog

 

 

art projects after OCD Camp

 

 

Mental Health Monologues 2015

 

 

OCDcon 2015

 

 

IOCDF involvement: my first blog post reposted on the IOCDF website, mailing holiday cards to individuals in residential treatment, and participating in a The Mighty post

speaking on a panel with University of Michigan’s Active Minds chapter

 

 

Mental Health Monologues 2016

speaking about Mental Health Monologues at the Depression on College Campuses conference

 

 

first essay with OC87 Recovery Diaries

 

 

OCDcon 2016

 

 

The OCD Stories podcast and writing an article for my dorm’s newsletter

 

 

more holiday cards for the IOCDF and emailing my professor about an “OCD” comment made in class

 

 

Mental Health Monologues 2017 and my monologue on the IOCDF website

1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk 2017

 

 

OCDcon 2017

World Suicide Prevention Day 2017

 

 

Not Alone Notes

essay in the IOCDF newsletter

 

 

Send Silence Packing and Unstuck film screening with Active Minds at the University of Michigan

 

 

even more holiday cards for the IOCDF and an anonymous note that melted my heart

 

 

presenting at the Depression on College Campuses conference and my DBT graduation

University of Michigan Out of the Darkness Walk

 

 

becoming and IOCDF ambassador and 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk 2018

Thanks for reading,

Morgan