For the many, not just the few: Improving help-seeking for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder among UK-based ethnic minority adolescents

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a distressing mental health disorder that, in Western contexts, is just as prevalent among ethnic minorities as White individuals. Despite this, rates of service use are much lower among ethnic minority adults and adolescents with OCD, highlighting a considerable treatment gap. Findings from the US have highlighted several barriers that ethnic minorities may experience when seeking help for OCD, yet very little research has been conducted in the UK, particularly among adolescents. As almost half of individuals with OCD begin to experience symptoms before the age of 18, adolescence is a key period of potential intervention. However, to improve help-seeking among UK-based ethnic minority adolescents with OCD, we first need to understand their lived experiences and the barriers and facilitators they may face. Therefore, this proposal comprises a programme of four work packages which use qualitative, quantitative, and arts-based participatory methods to address this gap in our knowledge, with research training and skills development that will contribute to my growth as a researcher.