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Joondalup holds program for hoarding disorder with Black Swan Health

Lucy JarvisJoondalup Times

HOLDING onto an excessive number of items? You’re not alone, with an estimated one in 20 Australians affected by a hoarding disorder.

According to Black Swan Health, the term means “collecting an excessive number of items and having difficulties discarding them from the home”.

With the potential to affect anyone, regardless of education or economic status, hoarding means some people may be living unhygienically due to a build-up of perishables or waste items.

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The non-profit organisation, in partnership with the City of Joondalup, will start a Buried in Treasures support group in January to help people with hoarding and squalor tendencies.

Held in Joondalup, the 20-week program will discuss the challenges with acquiring and discarding items and provide tips on how to de-clutter homes.

“Traditional methods of cleaning out someone’s home who has hoarding and squalor tendencies often leave the person feeling robbed and empty,” executive director Terina Grace said.

“The practical and emotional cost of these clean-ups can be extensive.

“A program like Buried in Treasures can help stop the problem before it gets out of hand and save a person the distress of a home clean-up.”

For more information on the Buried in Treasures support group, call Nadia Bamasri at 9208 9587 or email nadia.bamasri@blackswanhealth.com.au.

Black Swan Health has a range of free mental health services for depression, post-natal depression and anxiety.

It can support people in the development of individualised funding plans for those eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Visit www.blackswanhealth.com.au.