OCD Youth is a service designed by young people with OCD, for young people with OCD.
We know how tough living with OCD can be—especially as a young person trying to navigate mental health services that can feel confusing or frustrating. That’s why OCD Youth exists: to make sure you don’t have to figure it all out alone. We provide:
- A Youth e-Helpline – A space to talk to volunteers with lived experience of OCD. Whether you need someone to listen or information about accessing treatment, we’re here to help.
- Youth Support Groups – A safe, welcoming space to connect with others who understand. There’s no pressure to talk—just come as you are.
- An online community – A chance to share experiences and find support from people who truly get it.
- Awareness & campaigning – We work to make sure OCD is recognised and taken seriously, so young people can get the right support sooner.
YOUTH E-HELPLINE
Our Youth e-Helpline is here for anyone between the ages of 14 and 25 who is affected by OCD or a related condition (such as BDD or a Body-focused Repetitive Behaviour like hair pulling or skin picking). Whether you live with OCD yourself, or are concerned about a friend or family member, our Youth e-Helpline volunteers are here to support you.
You don’t need to have a diagnosis of OCD to get in touch. In fact, about half of the young people who email us are unsure whether they have OCD or not. Our Youth e-Helpline team is made up of volunteers with lived experience of OCD and related conditions, so they really understand how challenging it can be. While we’re not medical professionals and can’t provide a diagnosis, we can listen, support you, and share information about OCD and how to access the right treatments. OCD can be exhausting and isolating, but things really can get better—you don’t have to go through it alone.
Get support today
Youth Support Groups
We know how isolating and challenging living with OCD can be. Talking to others who truly understand can make a big difference. That’s why we offer free online support groups for young people and students affected by OCD and related conditions.
Our Youth Support Group is a peer-led space specifically for young people aged 16–20. It’s run by volunteers with lived experience of OCD themselves, ensuring the group is accepting, comfortable, and non-judgemental. There’s never any pressure to participate—some people choose to just listen, and cameras are optional. You can also register anonymously (if you’re 16 or 17, registration requires a parent or guardian’s contact details). The group currently meets on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7pm.
You can find out more and sign up here.
For university students, we also run a Student Support Group, providing a space to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of navigating OCD at university. If you sign up as a support group member, you’ll also have access to our Navigating Services Sessions for Students.
Navigating Services Sessions for Students
Our Navigating Services Sessions for Students (for ages 18+) are led by our Helpline team and focus on helping students understand their rights and options for accessing support. These sessions cover:
- How to access recommended treatments for OCD and related conditions through the NHS or privately
- How to get support for OCD at university or college
- First-hand experiences from students who have navigated these systems
- A chance to ask questions and get advice in a supportive space
Whether you’re looking for peer support or practical guidance on accessing treatment, our groups and sessions are here to help.
Get Involved
OCD Youth is all about supporting young people with OCD and related conditions—and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference! We welcome volunteers who are passionate about supporting young people, including those with lived experience of OCD and related conditions.
If you’re interested in volunteering, you can find details of our current opportunities below.
Are you passionate about improving support for young people with OCD? We’re looking for people aged 18–25 to join our Youth Engagement Panel—a group of young people using their lived experience to shape the services we offer.
At OCD Action, we believe that the best support comes from those who truly understand. That’s why our services are co-designed by young people, for young people. As a panel member, you’ll share your experiences of living with OCD to help us create the most effective, supportive, and accessible resources possible.
If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, check out the role description and fill in the form below to apply!
Our Support Groups provide a welcoming space for people affected by OCD and related conditions to connect with others who understand. These groups help reduce the isolation that can come with OCD, offering a sense of community and shared experience.
If you’re 18 or over and want to make a difference, we’re looking for volunteers to help run our groups:
- Volunteer Facilitators – Lead group sessions and help guide conversations in a supportive way.
- Callout Volunteers – Set up Support Groups ahead of time and monitor the sessions while they’re running.
- Sign-up Volunteers – Register new members and help them get started.
To learn more, request a Support Group Volunteering Pack by emailing: volunteering@ocdaction.org.uk.
Our Youth e-Helpline provides a safe, understanding space for young people (aged 14 to 25) affected by OCD and related conditions. Through email support, we help young people share how they’re feeling and find information about accessing the right treatment.
If you’re 18 or over and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Register your interest by emailing: volunteering@ocdaction.org.uk.
Our Student Ambassador Programme is all about raising awareness, improving access to support, and building understanding and inclusivity on university campuses across the UK.
As a Student Ambassador, you’ll help:
- Raise awareness – Start important conversations about OCD and help challenge misconceptions.
- Improve access to support – Share OCD Action’s resources with students and staff so more people know where to turn for help.
- Build community – Organise events and, if you’re comfortable, use your lived experience to support others.
If you’re a current university student and want to get involved, you can register your interest by emailing: students@ocdaction.org.uk.
Would you like to use your social media skills to help raise awareness of OCD? We are on the look out for:
- Young people (aged between 18 and 30) with graphic design or illustration experience to help us produce engaging visual content for OCD Youth.
- Young people (aged between 18 and 25) who would be happy to produce regular video content talking about their lived experience of OCD for our digital channels.
If you’re interested in the above, we’d love to hear from you! All you need to do is send through an example of your social media work and a few sentences on why you’d like to volunteer to volunteering@ocdaction.org.uk.