Breaking the Silence: Understanding and Supporting Those Affected by Eating Disorders 

At CMHA North and West Vancouver, we believe that everyone deserves access to support for their mental health, and Eating Disorders Awareness Week serves as an important opportunity to educate, connect, and offer resources for those affected by eating disorders. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect people across all walks of life. They often go beyond just food, body image, and weight, and are linked to emotional and psychological distress. In this blog, we’ll explore how eating disorders are connected to mental health, offer tools for coping, and highlight the resources available to support both individuals struggling with eating disorders and those who care about them. 

What Are Eating Disorders? 

Eating disorders include conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). These conditions often involve a preoccupation with food, body image, or weight, and are typically driven by underlying emotional struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or low self-esteem. 

Common types of eating disorders include: 

• Anorexia Nervosa: Restricting food intake due to a fear of gaining weight, often accompanied by a distorted body image. 

• Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by purging behaviors like vomiting or the use of laxatives to avoid weight gain. 

• Binge Eating Disorder: Recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by feelings of guilt and loss of control. 

• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): A category for disorders that don’t fully meet the criteria of anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating but still cause significant distress. 

These disorders are not simply about appearance; they are linked to deeper emotional struggles, and addressing them requires an understanding of their connection to mental health. 

The Connection to Mental Health 

Eating disorders are mental health conditions at their core. They are often rooted in feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or trauma. Many individuals with eating disorders experience overwhelming negative emotions about themselves, and food or body image becomes a way to cope or regain control. However, this can create a harmful cycle that exacerbates both physical and emotional distress. 

It’s important to recognize that eating disorders can impact many aspects of a person’s life, including their mental and emotional health. Common psychological effects include: 

• Negative self-image and low self-esteem 

• Anxiety and fear around food and body shape 

• Depression and withdrawal from social activities 

• Obsessive thoughts or perfectionism 

In many cases, eating disorders are not just about food—they are also ways of managing deep-rooted emotions, stress, or past trauma. Because of this, eating disorders can often coexist with other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

How to Cope with or Support Someone with an Eating Disorder 

If you or someone you care about is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to take steps toward recovery. At CMHA North and West Vancouver, we offer various resources and services to support individuals who are affected by eating disorders and mental health challenges. 

1. Seek Professional Help 

Eating disorders are best addressed with professional support. At CMHA North and West Vancouver, we provide low-cost Counselling services that are available to individuals seeking help for eating disorders, as well as other mental health conditions. Speaking with a trained counsellor can help individuals explore the underlying issues contributing to their disorder and work toward recovery. 

We also encourage individuals to reach out to specialized treatment providers, including therapists, dietitians, and doctors who are experienced in working with eating disorders. 

2. Crisis Support through PACT 

For those experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, including individuals who may be struggling with an eating disorder, our PACT (Peer Assisted Care Team) offers urgent mental health crisis support. Our team can be dispatched directly to the location of the crisis anywhere on the North Shore—whether in someone’s home, or in a public space like a community centre or park—providing immediate, on-the-ground support for mental health distress. PACT is available 7 days a week, from 8 AM to 12:30 AM, and can connect individuals to relevant resources for further support. 

3. Build a Support System 

For those supporting someone with an eating disorder, it’s crucial to be patient and compassionate. Here are a few tips for offering support: 

• Approach with empathy and understanding: People struggling with eating disorders often feel immense shame or guilt, and compassionate listening can go a long way in helping them feel safe to open up. 

• Encourage professional treatment: Gently encourage seeking help, whether through counselling or medical treatment, but avoid pressuring or pushing too hard. 

• Avoid focusing on food or weight: Focusing on food, eating habits, or body size may unintentionally reinforce the eating disorder. Instead, engage in conversations that focus on emotions, self-worth, well-being, and receiving support. 

• Be patient: Recovery from an eating disorder is a long process, and setbacks are normal. Celebrate small victories and provide continuous support. 

Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be emotionally taxing, and it’s crucial to recognize the toll it can take on family and friends. The stress and worry that come with helping a loved one through this challenging time can often leave supporters feeling helpless, potentially leading to missteps in how they engage with the person they care about. 

However, you don’t have to do it alone. Educating yourself about eating disorders and seeking your own support can make a world of difference, both for you and your loved one. Support networks, whether through counselling, support groups, or trusted resources, can help you navigate this challenging journey and prevent burnout or unintentional harm. By taking care of your own mental health and well-being, you’ll be in a stronger position to offer the support your loved one needs. 

Resources for Help and Support 

At CMHA North and West Vancouver, we are committed to supporting individuals struggling with eating disorders and mental health issues. In addition to our low-cost counselling services and PACT crisis care, here are a few other resources you can turn to: 

• Jessie’s Legacy Eating Disorders Prevention and Awareness: A program through Kelty Eating Disorders, Jessie’s Legacy offers educational resources and prevention strategies for individuals, families, and schools. It also works to raise awareness about the impact of eating disorders and the importance of early intervention. Learn more about Jessie’s Legacy 

• North Shore Youth Eating Disorders Program: Located in North Vancouver, this program offers specialized outpatient services for youth with eating disorders. It provides assessment, treatment, and support for youth and their families in the North Shore area. Explore the North Shore Youth Eating Disorders Program 

• Looking Glass Foundation: Based in Vancouver, the Foundation offers support and resources for individuals affected by eating disorders and disordered eating, including specialized programs, peer support, and educational tools to help with recovery. Visit the Looking Glass Foundation 

• National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC): A Canadian resource providing information, support, and referrals for individuals struggling with eating disorders. NEDIC offers a confidential helpline, resources for family and friends, and a variety of tools to help guide you through the recovery process. Visit NEDIC 

• OA Sea to Sky: A 12-step program for those struggling with compulsive eating, including binge eating, emotional eating, and other eating-related challenges. Meetings are available across the Sea to Sky and Lower Mainland region. Explore OA Sea to Sky 

Final Thoughts 

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that require understanding, compassion, and professional support. At CMHA North and West Vancouver, we are here to provide low-cost counselling, crisis support through PACT, and other resources to help individuals and families navigate the journey to recovery. If you or someone you care about is struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out to us for support. Together, we can reduce stigma, promote healing, and create a community where everyone feels empowered to seek help and embrace their true selves. 

If you or someone you know is in need of support, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.