Coffee roaster naming its TOC business sparks controversy online

A new Bay of Plenty coffee roaster has sparked an online controversy for naming its business OCD, short for Obsessive Coffee Drinkers.

Francesca Eldridge, who has lived with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) for most of her life, said it was deeply upsetting and hurtful that a company had chosen to coin its trade name out of a mental illness that has caused it. and many other great sufferings.

“I can’t imagine anyone ever opening a corner dairy for major depressive disorder or a hair salon for bipolar disorder, it’s not only offensive to me but it’s strange to name their business that way.

He stressed that there were other companies that had used OCD in their brand and that this was yet another example, but it was an opportunity to drive the discussion.

“It’s like they are making fun of my suffering,” said the 40-year-old New Plymouth mother.

Eldridge, who runs an online support group called @francescaeldridgehealth, said one of her Instagram followers alerted her to the business and sent her a message saying “Do you think this is offensive or am I being overly sensitive?”

“I took a look at your social media and you feel like a combination of pissed off and tired because it’s not the first time and it probably won’t be the last time,” he said.

“I also felt that they are probably not trying to hurt, but they have no idea.”

Eldridge said there was a lot of shame attached to OCD, and that if someone who was in a really dark place saw someone look down on their illness, they would feel even more embarrassed and as if no one understood.

“If I think back to when I was a teenager and in my 20s when I was really struggling, when I say I’m really struggling, I’m talking about feeling suicidal, a huge loss of quality of life, a massive impact on my ability to work and socialize and function. , great impact on my marriage. “

Frustrated by the name, Eldridge wrote a series of posts in which he invited people to comment anonymously on how the company name made them feel.

She said the response was generally along the lines of outrage, ‘this is really horrible’, ‘this is trivialized’, ‘this is hurtful and shows your ignorance’, and it was this misunderstanding that made it harder for people with OCD get the help they need.

Several healthcare professionals had called the coffee roaster on its Instagram page, but the company removed their comments, Eldridge said.

“A company that makes a mistake is fine, but a company that refuses to listen shows a lack of courage and empathy, in my opinion.”

She said she just wished the company had struck up a conversation and publicly acknowledged that they would at least consider the criticism.

The company told the Herald that they had agreed to meet with Eldridge but declined to comment further.

READ MORE: On the story of Francesca Eldridge here.

Where to get help:

• Life line: 0800 543 354 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 SUPPORT) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
• Helpline for depression: 0800 111 757 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Helpline: 1737
If it is an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.