Dear Blog Readers,

We would love to hear from you this week. What does Breaking Barriers, Facilitating Futures mean to you? What does Eating Disorder Awareness Week mean to you?

Please email kmccarthy@sheenasplace.org to share your thoughts. All formats are welcome. For further information please see below.

Be kind to yourself and remember to nourish your body, mind, and spirit.

your moderator,

Kira

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Email from Sheena’s Place

What is Eating Disorders Awareness Week?

Eating Disorders affect people of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic class, abilities, races, and ethnic backgrounds. That is why, from February 1st to 7th every year, Eating Disorder groups across Canada unite to commemorate Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) with a national week of action focused on educating the public about Eating Disorders.

It is a time to escalate awareness of the impact of Eating Disorders, the dangerous stereotypes and myths, and the supports available for people living with or affected by them. EDAW is a collective effort, from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Organizations around the country are set to host local events, light notable landmarks in the colour purple, and engage in public education campaigns.

This year’s campaign, Breaking Barriers, Facilitating Futures, aims to focus our attention on under-recognized barriers that people face when accessing care for their eating disorder, which contribute to ongoing cycles of shame and struggle. Our hope is for these educational materials to better inform care providers and healthcare systems of these challenges, and offer strategies borne from lived experience that aim to facilitate future dialogue, healthcare practice, and outcomes that meet the needs of all who are affected. Click here to learn more about EDAW 2024.

How can you get involved?

COMMUNITY ROOMS (Friday, February 2nd & Monday, February 5th)

In these two-hour community rooms, people with living and lived experience with an eating disorder will work together collectively to map their journey towards accessing “help”, connect with others across the country who might have similar experiences, and affirm that they are not “too complex”, “too much”, or have “failed treatment”. Register here.

Educational Materials

This year, we’re hoping to spread public awareness and education about three main messages:

1. Food insecurity, resulting from conditions of poverty, scarcity, and colonialism, is on the rise and has many mental health impacts on someone experiencing an eating disorder.

2. People rarely experience eating disorders in isolation; rather, many have been impacted by trauma and experience co-occurring challenges. Providing trauma-informed care is a living practice that needs to grapple with this reality when supporting someone affected with an eating disorder.

3. Gender-affirming care is an essential component of person-centred care for an eating disorder.

Help spread this information with people who matter to you and contribute your perspective to the community conversation by using #EDAW2024 on all platforms.

Check out the EDAW website to download materials for people with lived and living experience of an eating disorder, those supporting them, the general public, and healthcare providers and healthcare decision makers.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions!

– Sheena’s Place Program Team