Raising Concerns about Eating Disorder Treatment & Stigma

Hello ED Warriors,

Today I wanted to share with you an experience I had on Tuesday relating to Eating Disorder Awareness, and very much fueled by the passion I found for mental health whilst being on 7 Cups.

It was one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences I have had as of yet; I was a part of a group of 10 volunteers who went up to the Houses of Parliament with the U.K. Eating Disorder Charity, BEAT. For those who are unaware about how things work in the UK, each area/town elects a Member of Parliament (MP) to help represent the area when it comes to any issues in the UK. They are the individuals that can have a direct influence on the country. Those members meet regularly at the Houses of Parliament, and have regular meetings with the heads of different departments as well as the prime minster.

A fellow volunteer at BEAT, has been putting a campaign together about the flaws in Eating Disorder treatment - in particular when it comes to adult treatment. This is a subject, I sadly know all too well. Lots of individuals in the U.K. are denied treatment due to the fact they are not a certain weight and, as we are all aware, weight is not the only thing that matters - and being denied for this is something that can break an individual. I personally understand what this process is like, and although I was able to fuel the fire myself to continue to fight for what I knew, many people give up hope on the system and continue to struggle and let the Disorder take over.

On Tuesday, we went to speak to MPs about this campaign and issue with the treatments in general, once an amazing MP found out about this campaign, she backed it and secured a debate in Westminster Hall about Eating Disorder Stigma and Treatments. Luckily, this debate landed on the same day as the event that was planned to speak to MPs, so I had the privilege of watch the debate live, hearing stories being shared and seeing the faces of those who are usually so cold, break slightly when they heard of the damaging affects our country has been having on those suffering.

After the debate, I had time to speak to several MPs not only about the debate but sharing my personal story. I was able to let my local MP know how much I appreciate her support for the area my university is in, and how amazing I found it to be able to set up that support when I moved to university. I was also able to share, what the treatment was like in my hometown, and how it felt to be denied treatment twice - once because of my weight, and once because I was in an age bracket that meant I was no longer a part of child services, but not yet a part of adult services. It was amazing to see their faces drop when they realised that this was happening in their area - it wasnt just a theory, I was living proof (as were all the other volunteers) that this happens daily.

Leading up to the events, I asked a few people in some of my Eating Disorder Support Groups, off-site to share their stories should they feel comfortable, and I was honoured to be able to help by sharing the wider problems from multiple people.

We are campaigning for multiple things, but one of the main things that came up time and time again is that doctors need more knowledge on Eating Disorders, and that we need to start ditching the scales as the way to diagnose an individual.

This experience has brought up so many questions relating to eating disorders, and I was so happy and honoured to be able to share my experiences and help work towards change. Seeing the MPs around the whole group of volunteers, and listening intensely as we spoke passionately about the treatments was something I will never forget. Eating Disorder Awareness is so important, and helping spread this awareness will always remain a passion of mine throughout my life.

It got me thinking, what would you say if you had the chance to speak to your local government about treatments in the country you live in? It's something that I spent weeks preparing and I am excited to spend several follow up meetings working with my local MP on Eating Disorder Treatments. I look forward to hearing your views and ideas that you would share! <3