National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Everyone Plays a Role in Support

This week, we observe National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW), a time to raise awareness about these serious mental health conditions. This year’s theme is “Break the Silence, Embrace Recovery: Addressing Eating Disorders in Midlife,” highlighting the specific challenges faced by women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, such as hormonal changes, body image struggles, and more, which can increase the risk for eating disorders. However, it’s crucial to remember that eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, including our LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals of color, who often face unique barriers to care.

As a mental health provider, we actively observed this awareness week by reflecting as an agency how we can intentionally create supportive and inclusive environments where everyone feels supported and helps pass on healthy habits. We acknowledged everyone plays a vital role in cultivating a culture of understanding and support – whether team mates work in administration, IT, facilities, or direct client care. We know our actions affect others and contribute to the overall well-being of our clients and colleagues.

Here’s some action items we identified on how we can all help:

• Educate Yourself: Take time to learn about eating disorders, their signs, and the impact they have on individuals and families. Resources like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) offer valuable information.
• Promote Inclusivity: Be mindful of language and behaviors that could perpetuate harmful stereotypes or create a non-inclusive environment. Respect diverse body types and avoid making comments about food, weight, or appearance.
• Support a Culture of Help-Seeking: Encourage open communication and let others know that help is available. If you observe someone struggling, express your concern with empathy and respect, and direct them to appropriate resources.
• Recognize Diverse Needs: Understand that our LGBTQIA+ clients and clients of color may face unique challenges related to eating disorders. Be sensitive to cultural and identity-related factors that may influence their experiences.
• Be an Ally: Creating a safe and supportive environment is everyone’s responsibility. Be an ally to those struggling and advocate for inclusive policies and practices within our agency.

Resources:

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): nationaleatingdisorders.org
• Office on Women’s Health (OWH): womenshealth.gov
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): ANAD.org
• The Trevor Project (for LGBTQIA+ support): thetrevorproject.org
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders
• Raise Awareness with NIMH’s digital toolkit:

Join us to create environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to seek help when needed.