April 2024 (Newport, RI) – Newport Mental Health’s “100 Women” forum gathered in April at the beautiful Kay Chapel, the historic venue owned by the Hotel Viking
Mackenzie Nordone, a support group facilitator for No Compulsive Disorder (NOCD), providers of treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), was the guest speaker. Mackenzie was formally diagnosed with OCD at 14 years old. By authentically sharing her story, Mackenzie strives to help others feel less alone and more understood. It is her hope that her vulnerability will help break the stigma that surrounds OCD and mental health as a whole.
“I didn’t choose to have OCD,” Mackenzie said in her introduction. She spoke about how the disorder is misunderstood and misrepresented in the media. It can be debilitating, and she described her past experiences as “feeling like a stranger in your own mind.”
Mackenzie is working to raise awareness of both the disorder and the treatments available. Following her presentation, NMH’s David Boscia, Chief Clinical Officer, and Brigitte Shaffer, Director of Emergency Services and Open Access, addressed questions from the audience about recognizing the disorder and finding treatment.
100 Women is Newport Mental Health’s philanthropic forum offering the opportunity to make connections, share ideas, and celebrate a shared commitment to improving mental health awareness and recovery throughout Newport County.
