Monday 26 February 2018

Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW)

Today marks the start of Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Eating Disorder's are a mental illness and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness - far higher than depression. The statics are the 1 in 5 suffers of an eating disorder will lose their life, either from organ failure, suicide or malnutrition. That is what early intervention and access to services is key.

Beat is the UK's leading charity for Eating Disorders supporting suffers, and other affected by Eating Disorders such as friends, family members, siblings and professionals. They also run a lot of campaigns try and improve the care, support and services.


Each year there is a theme and this year's theme is ‘Why Wait?


Beat"On average, 149 weeks pass before those experiencing eating disorder symptoms seek help. That’s almost three years, 37 months or 1,043 days. On top of this, in a YouGov survey conducted for EDAW, more than one in three adults (34%) in the UK, who gave an answer, could not name any signs or symptoms of eating disorders. Find out more about the signs of an eating disorder click here.
We know the sooner someone gets the treatment they need, the more likely they are to make a full and fast recovery. As well as campaigning to improve the services available, we recognise that we must raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder and encourage and empower people to take action now – no matter how long their symptoms have been present."
Beat's Helpline Details are:
Telephone: 0808 801 0677
Email: help@beatingeatingdisorders.co.uk

Beat's YouthLine Details are:
Telephone: 0808 801 0711
Email: fyp@beatingeatingdisorders.co.uk

Links:
Beat - EDAW
Beat - Tips for Spotting Eating Disorders
Beat - Early intervention
https://themighty.com/2016/04/anorexia-doesnt-make-someone-selfish/