An estimated one million people in Canada are living with an eating disorder, and because of various b(e)arriers, many are not getting any kind of support specific to their illness. For some, the main reason is not having someone in their life to help them take on the overwhelming task of navigating the eating disorders system of care and finding out about their support options.
There are people, though, who are available to provide this type of help, and accessible from anywhere in Canada. Moreover, they want to help.
This is one of the messages being highlighted this Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW), which starts today, February 1. The promotion of EDAW is a collective effort involving organizations across the country, led by a partnership between the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED), Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA), and Body Brave.
NEDIC operates a national toll-free telephone and instant chat helpline for anyone with eating and weight concerns. Drawing upon their knowledge of the eating disorders systems of care and an extensive directory of eating disorders service providers located across Canada, NEDIC’s client support team takes down a b(e)arrier to receiving support for those who don’t have someone in their life to help them find it.
Between now and February 7, please take a few moments to support this year’s EDAW campaign. Check out NEDIC’s website to find out more about the campaign and share the messages that NEDIC, NIED, BANA, and Body Brave have created.
Together, we can help people overcome their b(e)arriers to getting the support that they need.