Hoarding is not a clutter problem, it is a thinking problem, a mental disorder recognized by the World Health Organization in 2018 and, it is on the rise. That is the initial element that public service workers learned at the recent Hoarding Action Response Team (HART) training session held in Prince Edward County.
First responders, social service workers and others gathered at WHERE? to learn about hoarding, the physical dangers to workers and the sensitivity needed when working with people that hoard. Attendees heard presentations from a mental health expert, sanitation specialist and an animal welfare inspector who talked about fire, disease and biohazard dangers of a hoarding situation and stressed the necessity for using PPE (personal protective equipment).
HART was started one year ago as a response to the increased incidents of hoarding noted by first responders and fire prevention officers. It is estimated that between two and six percent of Canadians have a hoarding problem.
