Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Join Us Starting February 27th

Dr. Serenity

Mind Health

April 11, 2023

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Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2023: It’s Time for Change

Mark your calendars for the final week of February, designated as Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW). In 2023, EDAW will run from February 27 to March 5, with a focus on inspiring change. This year’s theme, “It’s Time for Change,” aims to raise awareness about the lived experiences of people with eating disorders and promote education to combat the second most fatal mental illness in the United States, according to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).

Recovery is possible at any age with the right tools, skills, and support, says Joel Jahraus, MD, chief medical officer at Oliver-Pyatt Centers. Treatment is key, but it’s also essential to understand the causes of eating disorders. NEDA categorizes the risk factors into biological, psychological, and social factors, highlighting the need for early intervention and prevention.

You can participate in the fight against eating disorders by getting involved in EDAW events and activities or taking action year-round. Let’s work together to create a world where everyone has access to resources and support for eating disorder recovery.

Eating Disorder Awareness Walks

NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) organizes walks across the United States where communities can gather to show support for their loved ones with eating disorders. These walks also raise funds for eating disorder awareness, research initiatives, and accessible treatment and support. As per NEDA, these walks are the largest eating disorder awareness events in the country.

Stay updated with NEDA’s events calendar for the latest dates and locations of upcoming walks. You can participate by registering multiple people as a team of walkers, joining an existing team, or attending individually. Joining these walks is an excellent way to support those who struggle with eating disorders and spread awareness about this critical issue.

Resources for Education and Support on Eating Disorders

• Informative Webinars

Several organizations offer free webinars on various topics related to eating disorders to educate and support people affected by them. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) hosts informative webinars on its YouTube channel. The webinars cover various aspects of life with eating disorders, including prevention of eating disorders among young athletes, recovery from eating disorders in midlife, and ways to bust the stigma related to eating disorders. ANAD also hosts virtual “Yoga + Recovery Chats” in collaboration with organizations such as Eat Breathe Thrive, Give Back Yoga Foundation, International Association of Yoga Therapists, and Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR).

• Online Support Groups

The Eating Recovery Center (ERC) provides free virtual support groups led by trained facilitators. These groups are designed for different communities of people affected by eating disorders, including those recovering from binge-eating, caregivers of children and teens with eating disorders, clinicians in eating disorder recovery, college students and young adults, members of the LGBTQ+ community, loved ones and caregivers of adults with eating disorders, people of color, and people with addictive behaviors.

These resources offer an excellent way to learn more about eating disorders, find support, and connect with others going through similar experiences.

Get Involved in the Fight Against Eating Disorders: Volunteer and Research Opportunities

• Hands-On Ways to Help

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support the fight against eating disorders, there are several ways to get involved. From volunteering to research, here are some opportunities to consider:

• Volunteer Roles

Consider volunteering or interning with the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). Volunteers and interns support NEDA in a variety of ways, such as helping to organize NEDA Walks or answering calls on NEDA’s helpline for those seeking resources, support, or treatment options for themselves or their loved ones.

ANAD also offers training for volunteer opportunities such as becoming a peer helpline volunteer, a peer mentor for people in recovery, or a support group leader.

• Research Grants

If you are a professional researcher in the field of eating disorders, you can apply for a research grant through NEDA’s Feeding Hope Fund for Clinical Research.

• Other Ways to Help

If you’re unable to volunteer or conduct research, there are still other ways to support the cause. For example, you can make a donation to an eating disorder organization, participate in a local NEDA Walk, or simply spread awareness and educate others about the importance of eating disorder prevention and treatment. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against eating disorders.

Eating Disorder Treatment Centers and Support Organizations

If you or someone you know is seeking treatment or support for an eating disorder, these organizations offer a range of evidence-based, gender-inclusive, and body-positive programs and resources.

• Center for Discovery

Center for Discovery is a nationwide eating-disorder treatment center that provides evidence-based care for adolescents and adults of all genders. Their offerings include residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment, as well as programs specifically for LGBTQ+ people. They have locations all over the country, including Fairfield, Greenwich, and Southport in Connecticut; Columbia, Maryland; Bridgewater and Paramus in New Jersey; and The Hamptons in New York.

• EDCare

EDCare is an accredited treatment center that accepts patients of all genders and offers evidence-based recovery programs for adults with eating disorders. They offer various levels of care, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment. They have locations in Denver, Kansas City (which also offers an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program and Evening Intensive Outpatient Program), and Omaha, Nebraska.

• Monte Nido & Affiliates

Monte Nido & Affiliates is a treatment program that offers evidence-based, health-at-every-size-informed, and gender-affirming care for eating disorders. They provide residential, partial hospitalization, or outpatient treatment at locations across the United States, including Boston, Malibu, California, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, and Westchester, New York.

• McCallum Place Eating Disorder Centers

McCallum Place Eating Disorder Centers is a nationally acclaimed treatment center with locations in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Their evidence-based treatment options for preteens, teens, adults, and athletes of all genders include residential and partial hospitalization care for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other eating disorders. They also partner with several academic institutions that perform research related to eating disorders, including St. Louis University and the University of North Carolina.

• Reasons Eating Disorder Center

Reasons Eating Disorder Center is a treatment center for adults of any gender with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, among others. Their evidence-based programming and certain levels of care include inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and virtual care. They have several locations throughout California.

• Nalgona Positivity Pride

Nalgona Positivity Pride is a body-positive, in-community eating disorders organization created by people of color for people of color. They are focused on connecting Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities with resources and support for eating disorders. This organization offers various virtual events throughout the year, as well as an Eating Disorder Harm Reduction Community Circle support group for people over 18.

These eating disorder treatment centers and support organizations are dedicated to providing high-quality care and resources for individuals affected by eating disorders. Whether you or someone you know is seeking treatment or support, these organizations offer a range of programs to help those struggling with eating disorders on the path to recovery