National Eating Disorder Awareness Week | 26 February - 3 March 2024
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is taking place on the 26th of February this year to highlight the significant effect that eating disorders have on society, that many may not be aware of. National Eating Disorder Awareness Week discusses all the different types of eating disorders, and this year takes a specific focus on ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). Unlike many eating disorders, ARFID is not directly connected to body image issues but rather to do with difficulties eating types of food. ARFID typically begins from younger ages and is more common in boys, it is not usually to do with body image but due to underlying medical reasons such as GERD or food fears such as choking, textures, colours, etc. Due to the unique and complex causes of ARFID, it is often not spotted and can go untreated. National Eating Disorder Awareness Week takes initiative to introduce society to disorders that may be lesser known such as ARFID, whilst also informing people of signs/treatments/aid for all types of eating disorders too. At MediTalent we were very enlightened by new information on eating disorders and can first hand report how helpful the Beat Eating Disorders Website was!
Mental Health Nursing and Eating Disorders:
MediTalent have worked with various private mental health hospitals and RMNs (Registered Mental Health Nurse) that have first hand experience in treating eating disorders. We have found that there is no better way than to understand disorders such as ARFID than to talk to the practitioners and care givers that have been specially trained in caring for these conditions. The Mental Health Hospitals that MediTalent collaborate with often cover a multitude of conditions and some offer CAHMS wards to help fight eating disorders in young individuals. From working with these hospital groups and RMNs, it is clear to see that the attention required to eating disorders/ mental health conditions is immense and hugely important. Beateatingdisorders.com estimates that around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from some form of an eating disorder, this is a staggering figure and one can only imagine the strain on the NHS for resources. Our private hospital clients are instrumental in shedding the NHS waitlist for mental health care and some even work in partnership with the NHS to help reduce the strain. MediTalent wants to help on this endeavour to increase access to medical attention for those who suffer from eating disorders and we are actively looking for mental health nurses all the time! This week really reminds us how invaluable mental health nurses are to the healthcare system.
Have you had experiences as a mental health nurse or with eating disorders that you would like to share? If so please comment below as we would love to hear and learn more!
Author: Hanna Ruhee
Photo credit: https://edaw.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/whats-on/resources/