Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Jan 6, 2023

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is February 1 – 7, 2023

Approximately, 1 million Canadians have a diagnosis of an Eating Disorder, such as Anorexia Nervosa , Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidance Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Otherwise Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder.

Eating Disorders are serious but treatable mental illnesses that can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, racial and ethnic identity, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

That is why, from February 1 to 7 every year, the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division joins organizations across Canada to commemorate Eating Disorder Awareness Week [EDAW] with a national week of action focused on educating the public about Eating Disorders.

This year’s campaign, Transforming the Narrative from Asks to Action, aims to help people understand the connection between eating disorders and other co-occurring conditions or intersections of disadvantage [e.g., mental health conditions, trauma, systemic issues], and to help people take action to support people affected. 

The National Eating Disorder Information Centre [NEDIC], in collaboration with Body Brave, Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association, Eating Disorders Nova Scotia, Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta, Jessie’s Legacy, National Initiative for Eating Disorders, Sheena’s Place, Waterloo-Wellington Eating Disorders Coalition, and Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders, has released several tools to help raise awareness and help more people get the support they need, including a Resource List that can be downloaded HERE

Looking for help?

Eating Disorders Nova Scotia is dedicated to supporting those impacted by eating disorders.

They provide several helpful services including peer support groups, one-on-one mentoring and family peer support groups. Visit their website to learn more about their work and upcoming events.

Sources: NEDIC, Eating Disorders Nova Scotia, Stats Canada.