Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects around one in 50 children. More still are affected by its related disorders, such as body dysmorphia, skin-picking, hair-pulling and Tourette Syndrome. 

A growing need for early intervention and specialist treatment 

Children hospitalised with OCD have some of the longest and most expensive hospital stays. And, despite this, and they also have some of the highest hospital readmission rates. These young people require access to specialised, targeted treatment in community so they can stay at home with family and at school with their friends.  

Thanks to the generous investment from Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation donors, the OCD BOUNCE clinic, established in early 2023, supports delivery of world-leading clinical care to children and young people in the community, where they need it most.  

1 in 50 children in Australia have OCD. 

Reaching more children across Sydney and beyond 

In response to the increased need for mental health services, the clinic has already received more than 100 patient referrals from Sydney, regional NSW and interstate. 

The OCD BOUNCE team deliver evidence-based treatments to patients and upskill clinicians across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and in the community. Through home visits and co-delivered care with local services, and telehealth to reach rural communities, we can ensure that children across New South Wales can access high standards of care. 

OCD is highly treatable, and two thirds of children will achieve remission from symptoms if they can access high quality care. Sadly, the average delay to treatment for children is one to two years. 

Multidisciplinary support that works 

Each child receives targeted treatment from a team of specialists. This approach has been effective in keeping children out of hospital, engaged at school, and connected with family, friends and in the wider community. 

 “Seeing patients make such big changes in their lives in a relatively short period of time is something I cherish in my work at OCD BOUNCE. When they’re able to use public transport, go out for coffee, eat dinner with their family again, or leave the house and shut the door behind them – I love sharing all these wins with them,” said Dr Katelyn Dyason, Psychologist and Research Lead.  

Before the OCD BOUNCE program was established, children in Sydney with OCD have higher rates of hospitalisation, longer hospital stays, and higher readmission rates. 

Leading national conversations in youth mental health 

The team’s work in children’s OCD treatment has gained national recognition.  In September 2023, the OCD BOUNCE team were invited to the inaugural Youth Mental Health Summit at Parliament House to present their innovative, evidence-based work in advancing OCD treatment and its success in bridging the treatment gap.  

The team were also invited to present at the National Allied Health Virtual Research Forum in April 2024, sharing their work with an audience of allied health researchers and policymakers from around Australia. 

Without OCD BOUNCE, children, especially in regional and rural areas, often lack access to evidence-based treatment. 

Building a better future for mental health care 

Significantly, the research learnings from OCD BOUNCE are transferable to other areas within mental health care. 

As project lead Dr Iain Perkes reflects, “Through innovation in service delivery and capacity building within mental health services, OCD BOUNCE is translating clinical research into practice transforming care for children and young people with OCD.” 

Every child deserves access to mental health care that meets them where they are. With current philanthropic support for OCD BOUNCE coming to an end, there is now a vital need for sustainable funding to continue this important work long-term. With your support, we can help more children access the life-changing mental health care they need – closer to home, and when they need it most.