Come gather with VIVED and our community members to honour the lives we have lost to those struggling with eating disorders (whether through medical complications or suicidality) and honours those of us fighting for change. This year's Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) theme is "Transforming the Narrative: From Asks to Action." There is no better place to take a stand for action than on the steps of B.C.'s Legislative Buildings on one of the first days that government officials resume sitting. Join us in calling for action now.
Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders - Eating disorders awareness week (EDAW) 2023 Statement
This Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW), Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders (VIVED) is calling on individuals, businesses, organizations, health authorities, and the government to take action on eating disorders. and endorse the following:
Eating disorders are complex, serious illnesses
Multiple types of eating disorders exist.
As we understand it, eating disorders often occur when those who have multiple interacting vulnerabilities experience a period of malnutrition or stress. This stress triggers physiological and psychological changes that together culminate as an eating disorder.
Vulnerabilities can include biological, psychological, cultural, and structural factors.
Eating disorders affect people of all genders, sexual orientations, skin colours, sizes, (dis)abilities, ages, cultures, and socioeconomic classes. Those who face higher levels of marginalization and oppression are at disproportionate risk.
Not enough is being done to address eating disorders and support those struggling
There is a lack of accessible, timely, safe, effective services on Vancouver Island
There is not enough education, research, funding, and coordinated leadership
People with eating disorders are suffering and dying as a result of inaccessible, inadequate, sometimes harmful care.
Addressing eating disorders is an issue of social justice and human rights
Access to healthcare is a human right; eating disorder care is healthcare.
Marginalization and oppression increase vulnerability to eating disorders, create additional barriers to support, and increase the risk of experiencing harm in care settings. We must address marginalization and oppression in eating disorder work, and address eating disorders in social justice work.
Change must occur
All adults must have access to accessible, timely, safe, effective services. These should include all levels of care - primary, outreach, outpatient, intensive outpatient, hospital, and residential. Care options should be multifaceted, including dietitian services, caregiver and family support, therapy, meal support, and practical support (e.g., housing)
Care should be comprehensive, holistic, patient-led, longer-term, part of a continuum of services, culturally-relevant and sensitive, meaningfully trauma-informed, gender-affirming, weight-inclusive, and intersectional
People with lived and living experience have expertise.
Provincial government, health authorities, community organizations, and people with lived and living experience of eating disorders must collaborate together
commitments we can all make to take action
Educating ourselves and our community about eating disorders and what we can do.
Challenging assumptions and stereotypes we may hold about eating disorders.
Contacting our elected officials to call for improved support and care for people with eating disorders.
Raising awareness to our coworkers and community partners about the current lack of services and supports for adults with eating disorders.
Participating in online trainings such as Body Brave eating disorder trainings .
Collaborating with organizations, such as CMHA, VIVED, NIED, and NEDIC, to advocate for and improve services for people with eating disorders.
Offering specialized supports for people with eating disorders at our organization/business.
Ensuring our general services/supports are accessible and inclusive to people with eating disorders.
Challenging fatphobia, diet culture, and wellness culture in our space.
Shifting from number and size-centric measures of wellness (e.g., diagnostic criteria, weight, BMI, calories) to holistic, person-defined measures .
Ensuring an equitable, safe environment to people of often-marginalized identities (e.g., queer, racialized, gender diverse, Indigenous, and disabled clients).
Wearing purple and promoting EDAW 2023.
Extending accommodations to employees and volunteers who disclose they have an eating disorder or are caring for a loved one with an eating disorder.
Removing barriers to accessing services wherever possible, including cost barriers, diagnostic criteria, age limits, geographic restrictions, and externally-defined requirements like “recovery oriented” or “stable.”
Recognizing we will encounter people with eating disorders knowingly and unknowingly in our work, and committing to approaching all in a supportive way.
Including attention to eating disorders in our work on [mental health/fitness/wellness/food security/trauma/queer healthcare/caregiving support].