Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Embracing Possibilities

Jan 31, 2025

Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is a national movement from February 1st to 7th each year, dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding about eating disorders while challenging the stigma and barriers that prevent access to care.

Eating disorders affect people of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic classes, abilities, races, and ethnic backgrounds. That is why eating disorder groups across Canada unite to mark EDAW with a national week of action aimed at educating the public, highlighting available supports, and advocating for meaningful change.

EDAW is a collective effort from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Participating organizations across the country will host local events, light landmarks in purple, and engage in public education campaigns to raise awareness and foster understanding about eating disorders.

 “It is a time to escalate awareness of the impact of eating disorders, the dangerous stereotypes and myths, and the supports available for people living with or affected by them” (NEDIC, 2023).

There is no single cause of eating disorders.  Eating disorders are complex and multi-faceted, their development can be influenced by an individual’s personality, genetic make-up and biochemical factors in combination with their lived experience, socio-cultural, and familial context.  Awareness and education on eating disorders in key to prevention, early intervention and in helping those living with an eating disorder to connect with the support and treatment they need to recover.  Accessing effective and timely treatment is essential for people with eating disorders given they have the highest overall mortality rate of any mental illness, with estimates between 10-15%.

While eating disorders disproportionately affect people who identify as women and girls, approximately 1 in 4 people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and 1 in 3 living with binge eating disorder identify as boys and men. Further, people from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are more likely to struggle with an eating disorder.  Counter to stereotypes, people who are racialized are as likely to experience eating disorders and may face additional barriers to treatment.

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington is part of a provincial network for eating disorders, offering coordinated and evidence-based services. CMHA WW eating disorders program offers comprehensive assessment, and team-based care with a nurse practitioner, dietician, and therapist for children, youth and adults.  To learn more, visit: Services for Eating Disorders – CMHA Waterloo Wellington.  Be sure to check out our resource sheets for more information on additional supports for families and individuals with eating disorders on our website: Resources – CMHA Waterloo Wellington

EDAW Events:

Waterloo Wellington Eating Disorders Coalition

FACES OF RECOVERY

Date:  Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Time:  7:00 – 8:30 pm EST

Join the Waterloo Wellington Eating Disorders Coalition for a free panel discussion featuring individuals on the road to recovery from an eating disorder. Registration is required. Attendees will receive a Zoom link via email 24 hours before the event and again one hour before the event.  Please note that registration for this event is limited. If you register and can no longer attend, please cancel your registration. If you have any questions prior to the event, please e-mail wwedcoalition@gmail.com
For more information about the Waterloo Wellington Eating Disorders Coalition, please visit http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.ca/

This is a free event with the option to donate via Eventbrite. The Waterloo Wellington Eating Disorders Coalition is thankful for any donations received, which will be used to advance its mission to engage in professional development, advocacy, community engagement, education, awareness, service enhancement, and training in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. Please note that the Waterloo Wellington Eating Disorders Coalition is not a registered charity and is not able to issue tax receipts for donations. Register at Eventbrite.

Support Group A-Thon

Increasing access to care for people experiencing eating disorders is possible. During EDAW, community-based organizations across Canada are offering free or reduced-cost programming to expand access to support for underserved communities and create space to discuss topics often left out of conversations about eating disorders. 

Learn more at: NEDIC | Support Group-A-Thon

Webinar: Safe & Healing ED Spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
Part of NEDIC’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week Champion Webinar Series, this online panel is hosted by Looking Glass Foundation with participation from Body Peace Canada, and Sheena’s Place. The discussion will explore the importance of inclusive and affirming spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, highlight current programs and supports, and share best practices for fostering safety and belonging. A live Q&A session will follow.

Learn more and register: Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders

Learn about how you can support the Eating Disorders program through donating to CMHA WW: Donate – CMHA Waterloo Wellington (cmhaww.ca)

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) is a non-profit organization that provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. CMHA WW serves everyone from children to adults to seniors and helps individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise.