Ieating disorders Don’t discriminate – a person can develop the disorder whether they are thin, fat or somewhere in between.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington is participating in Eating Disorders Awareness Week February 1-8, a national campaign aimed at educating the public about eating disorders.
According to director of services at CMHA WW Meredith Gardiner, there is no “look” when it comes to eating disorders. She says there is no single cause and it could be multifactorial.
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“It can be influenced by people’s genetic makeup and who they are, as well as life circumstances,” Gardiner said. “It’s just as complicated to treat.”
Eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic status.
“Eating disorders thrive in secrecy and are hidden by dangerous stereotypes,” said Carla Giddings, a mental health therapist with the CMHA WW Eating Disorders Program.
“Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a way to break the silence that can connect people with the care they need and deserve.”
CMHA WW noted that referrals to eating disorder programs have tripled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. They say many of the referrals were for young children.
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Gardiner says eating disorders haven’t received the same amount of attention as addiction or mental health, and can often fly under the radar.
“The mortality rate associated with eating disorders is higher than any other mental health issue,” Gardiner said. “Food is such a part of our society and we appreciate that there are people who have real difficult relationships with food and also have their own sense of who they are.”
Waterloo Wellington is a free virtual panel discussion organized by the Eating Disorders Coalition: Faces of Recovery. It will run from 7pm to 8:30pm on Wednesday, February 8, and will include people who are in the process of recovery.
People can register for this event eventbrite,
“There is support and help in the community through programs to be able to support individuals, and we want to bring awareness so people don’t have to struggle in silence,” Gardiner said.
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