The Black EquaLity in OCD NeuroGenomics (BELONG) study is focused on engaging people who identify as Black or African American to learn more about how obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects the Black/African American community. Previous studies on the genomics of OCD have mainly included people who are White or Caucasian, so our ability to support Black or African American people with OCD is limited. In the BELONG study, we are working to address the current inequalities in genomic studies of OCD and expand our understanding of how OCD affects Black/African Americans.
Do you identify as Black or African American and have, or think you might have, OCD?
or
Do you have a child who identifies as Black or African American and who has, or you think might have, OCD?
If yes to either of these questions, please consider joining our OCD study! If you are interested in learning more and helping to correct the current inequalities in genomic research, please take this survey.
Who can participate?
Children with OCD or suspected OCD with the permission of a parent or guardian
or
Adults with OCD or suspected OCD
Here are the steps.
Step 1: Consent
We schedule a convenient time for you to meet with a BELONG team member over Zoom or in-person. We will tell you about the BELONG study and answer any questions you may have and go through the study consent. We then ask a few questions to understand more about your, or your child’s, OCD symptoms.
Step 2: Interview
We book an interview (over Zoom or in-person) with a BELONG team member to understand more about you or your child’s OCD symptoms, administer questionnaires, and perform clinical assessments.
Step 3: Saliva Sample
We will mail you a saliva kit to provide a sample at home and mail it back to us in a prepaid reply envelope. As this is a genomic study, biological parents of participants are also encouraged to participate by providing a saliva sample.
This project is being funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, USA (IRB #23-01112), and has received ethical approval by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Institutional Review Board (IRB).
General inquiries can be directed to BELONG@mssm.edu.