New resources to support people affected by an eating disorder | Latest News

Peer Support Workers within our Adult Eating Disorder Service have created a range of resources to support people affected by an eating disorder, as well as family and friends, external services and GPs. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background. 

A peer support worker or lived-experience practitioner is someone who helps support others in their mental health journey. Many have personal experience with mental health challenges or accessing services, using their insights to inspire hope and promote recovery. They contribute to peer support programs, training, and service development while working alongside clinical teams, crisis cafés, the Recovery College, and community partners to improve mental health care for patients and carers.

This week marks Eating Disorder Awareness Week, whose theme emphasises this: ‘anyone can be affected by an eating disorder. Eating disorders affect people’s quality of life and wellbeing, however, with the correct support recovery is possible. Peer support is one example of the support available to those affected by an eating disorder and involves speaking with someone who has lived experience and is now recovered.

One of our Peer Support Worker's discusses the new resources:

We have been working hard on creating a range of resources to support someone with an eating disorder, family and friends affected by an eating disorder, external services and GPs.

This includes Q&As, recovery tools, and information for GPs on supporting patients who may present with an eating disorder. We hope these resources can provide a range of recovery tools, support, and information.