AHS promotes National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

CALGARY – National Eating Disorders Awareness Week runs Feb. 1 to 7, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) is working with community partners to present several events designed to build awareness about the illness.

“Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses and can develop in anyone regardless of age, ethno-racial background, socio-economic status, gender or ability,” says Dr. Monique Jericho, Director of the Eating Disorders Clinic at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“The development of an eating disorder is complex. Part of helping those struggling with an eating disorder is to raise awareness. National Eating Disorders Awareness Week provides an opportunity to talk about what we all can do to help prevent eating disorders in ourselves, our children and within our communities.”

As many as 30,000 Albertans are currently managing an eating disorder. AHS is helping Albertans break down the stigma and build awareness of eating disorders through several events during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. They include:

• Jan. 31 - Healthy Body Image and Eating Disorder Workshop at the YMCA Wellness Centre in South Health Campus, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Feb. 1 – National Eating Disorders Awareness Week launch and ceremonial bathroom scale smash at Calgary City Hall, 800 Macleod Tr., from noon to 1 p.m.
• Feb. 7 - Short documentary film and panel discussion about males with eating disorders at Alberta Children's Hospital in the fourth floor amphitheatre from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit eatingdisordersupportnetworkofalberta.com/edaw-calgary.html for a list of other events sponsored through the Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta.

Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder. Calgarians can get more information by calling Health Link at 811 or Access Mental Health at 403-943-1500.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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