About the Founder Minal Mahtani is the CEO and Founder of OCDAHK. Minal has received training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and possesses university degrees in both Psychology and Education. She has experience counselling adults and teens with a range of anxiety disorders and OCD as well as teaching and counselling students at ESF schools in Hong Kong. Minal runs regular mental health support groups and conducts workshops in a variety of settings and to disadvantaged and minority communities. Minal is committed to research in the field of mental health and has conducted a study which culminated in the publication ”State of Mental Health Awareness in HK and well-being in the workplace”. Minal is a Mental Health First Aider, a Stress Management Instructor (RYT500) and yoga teacher. Having suffered from anxiety herself in her twenties and making it to the other side. Minal has both first-hand experience and knowledge in the area of mental health. Minal is the pioneer of the Green Ribbon Campaign in Hong Kong and has been running it since 2014. The Green Ribbon Campaign is an initiative to raise awareness of mental health, support sufferers of mental illness and eliminate stigma.
Minal received the HK Woman Leader Award 2019 from CMO global for her contribution to the mental health community in HK. OCDAHK is a global partner and ambassador of The International OCD Foundation (USA) and is supported by Community Business HK.
Top Tips for Good Mental Health 1. Start each day with gratitude to create a positive mindset for the day. 2. Practice Mindfulness or Deep Breathing to calm the mind, e.g. inhale for 3, hold for 3, exhale for 3. 3. Exercise daily for at least 20 minutes to relieve tension and stress in the body which boosts the production of serotonin (happy chemical) in the brain
Gratitude to my later mother, Mira Mahtani for her support, faith and encouragement through my journey with anxiety.
“I know fear, I understand fear, I have lived through fear but I rose above it. And if I can do it, so can you”. Minal Mahtani CEO & Founder ocdcommunityhk@gmail.com www.ocdanxietyhk.org Facebook: #ocdanxieyhk Instagram: #ocdahk
About Us OCDAHK is a registered charity (91/16212) dedicated to supporting individuals and their loved ones suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anxiety Disorders (ADs). Our main objectives are to: 1. Provide support to sufferers of OCD & ADs at support group meetings. 2. Raise community awareness about mental health disorders through education and campaigns with the aim of reducing stigma in Hong Kong. 3. Give information to sufferers on treatment providers and options in Hong Kong, USA and UK. 4. Offer individual coaching to teenagers and adults suffering from ADs, OCD, depression and low self-esteem.
“Some of the most comforting words in the universe are “me too”. That moment when you find out that your struggle is also someone else’s struggle that you are not alone and others have been down the same road.” – Anonymous
“A mental health condition is nothing to be ashamed of. You can’t help it, you don’t ask for it. So why should people judge us for it? It is time to change, to end the stigma”. – ocd.co.uk
How is Support Provided? 1. Monthly Support Group Meetings
2. Education
The support group meetings run monthly and are open to English speaking adults who struggle with high levels of anxiety, OCD or ADs. The meetings provide sufferers with a platform where they can voice and share their fears, worries and anxiety in a safe, non-judgmental and confidential environment.
OCDAHK believes in the importance of mental health education in schools, health clinics and corporates. Poor mental health causes distress in sufferers and can impact daily functioning, relationships, physical health, productivity, motivation and concentration levels. We can bring mental health education to your workplace in the form of workshops, events and stress management yoga. Please email us for further details.
The formation of the group has created a community of individuals who encourage, support and assist each other with the challenges that they face and gives members a sense of belonging. Group sessions are structured to include discussions, reflections and opportunities to learn and practice different proven methods to reduce anxiety. It is not compulsory for one to share at meetings if one does not feel comfortable. There is no fee to attend, however donations are appreciated to support this organisation. The support group is open to adults who struggle with intrusive thoughts, constant worries and who feel stuck in negative patterns of thinking. It is also open to parents who would like help to support their teenagers or children who have OCD or AD. Please email to receive details and dates of the monthly support group meetings.
3. Resources We provide resources on various mental health disorders, lists of psychologists and health professionals to seek counselling from in Hong Kong as well as residential treatment providers in the US and the UK for OCD and ADs. 4. Coaching We offer individual coaching sessions to adults and teenagers using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) , Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques. Please email us for details.