Raising awareness about eating disorders

Embracing Possibilities. That’s the theme of this year’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) campaign.

The annual week, which runs in Canada from February 1 to 7, is dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding about eating disorders while challenging the stigma and barriers that prevent access to care.

This year’s campaign highlights the power of community-driven solutions, innovative care models and insightful educational opportunities that aim to transform the eating disorder care landscape. “By working together, we can break down barriers and illuminate pathways to equitable, accessible and inclusive support for all,” says the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), a program of University Health Network’s Centre for Mental Health.

EDAW is a collective effort from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Participating organizations across the country will host local events, light landmarks in purple and engage in public education campaigns to raise awareness and foster understanding about eating disorders.

One in seven Canadian teens and 40 per cent of 11- and 12-year-olds are teased about their appearance, making body-based bullying the most common form of bullying in today’s schools, NEDIC reports. It’s important to remember that you can’t tell whether someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them, it notes. People of all body types, ages, genders, classes, racial backgrounds, ethnicities and abilities experience eating disorders.

While eating disorders are serious and can have life-threatening complications, they’re also treatable illnesses. NEDIC offers information, resources, referrals and support through its toll-free helpline at 1-866-NEDIC-20 (1-866-633-4220) or its live chat platform available at nedic.ca. It serves individuals living with an eating disorder as well as the people who care for them – from family members and friends to health care providers.