Eating Disorders Awareness Week

This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we want to make a difference to the lives of everyone affected by eating disorders by starting conversations, raising awareness and signposting towards support.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an annual awareness week which aims to increase understanding of eating disorders and challenge stereotypes and stigmas. The week is organised by Beat and this year’s focus is on the experiences of those with a binge eating disorder, who too often suffer alone without seeking help due to the fear of how others might react.

An eating problem is any relationship with food that you find difficult. Anyone can experience eating problems, regardless of age, gender, weight or background.

1 in 50 people will experience a binge eating disorder in their lifetime, and 1 in 6 people with a binge eating disorder will attempt to take their own lives.

Beat has a number of services to support people who have or are worried they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members. You can talk to them from 9am-8pm during the week, and 4pm-8pm on weekends and bank holidays, by calling one of the following numbers:

• Helpline: 0808 801 0677
• Studentline: 0808 801 0811
• Youthline: 0808 801 0711.

You can also access support via their one-to-one web chat. To find out more about Beat’s support services, click here.

For more information on what an eating problem is, what it’s like to have one and how eating problems can affect your life, visit Mind’s website here.

If you’d like to write about your experience to help us raise awareness around eating disorders, you can submit your story to our website blog. Or, if you’d like to read about others’ experiences, you can take a look at this blog by Sam on beating anorexia.

Posted on: 3rd March 2021