MEDIA RELEASE

Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025

Monday, February 24^th-Sunday, March 2^nd

All Stories Matter

23^rd February, 2025: For Immediate Release

Eating disorders are serious and complex mental illnesses with increased risk of mortality and suicide. Whilst symptoms of an eating disorder often manifest through food, weight and exercise behaviours, they are not primarily about food, weight or appearance. Nor are they a lifestyle choice or a diet gone wrong.

Bodywhys is the national voluntary organisation supporting people affected by eating disorders and their families in Ireland through information, listening and support services, resources guides and psychoeducation.

Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer with Bodywhys said “Eating disorders are confrontational and disruptive. They edit out a person’s social connections, blur parts of their identity and steal time away from them. At Bodywhys, we hear from a broad range of people across our support services – those who are ill with an eating disorder across the lifespan, family members, youth workers, concerned teachers, social workers, sports coaches and those working in residential facilities.

“At first, not all parts of a person’s story may be clear. The evocative yet raw nature of peoples’ narratives is layered, capturing the seen and the unseen. By deeply listening to their stories, we are better able to understand the complex nature of the illness and the myriad aspects of their experiences. By doing so, those who share their stories create a space where all voices are heard, allowing themselves and each other to shape and share their narratives.

“Some of the issues people share with us are bereavement, bullying, loss of friendships, exam pressure, cultural pressure about weight and appearance, poor self-esteem, loneliness and lack of a social network and close friendships. Difficulty getting a diagnosis, finding services and support when someone is also autistic or has ADHD, being in the workplace with an eating disorder and the effects on a person’s social life, professional goals, aspirations, health, relationships and finances are concerns which we also hear. Someone may worry about letting go of an eating disorder because they don’t know what might replace it.”

As part of the week, Bodywhys is hosting free online events, such as

• Family based treatment (FBT), featuring clinicians working in family therapy services

• Conversations with Carers, New Maudsley Carer Skills training

• Understanding eating disorders for secondary school students and staff

• A real-world perspective on promoting positive body image and eating disorders awareness in second level education

• REConnect (sic), a new support group service for adults to help them to find support and build social connections. This service was developed through expertise from Nottingham Trent University.

Barry added “These events address some of the needs and concerns that parents and service users relay to us, such as gaining more understanding of what FBT entails as well as the New Maudsley Carer Skills training, learning about the role support and social connections play, as well as many other aspects that are covered via our events.”

Harriet Parsons, Training and Development Manager with Bodywhys said “At family level, the emotional impact of caring for someone with an eating disorder is very high, including shock and guilt. This is clear from parents and carers who’ve described their journeys as though they’ve been to hell and back, being taken by surprise that an eating disorder has entered their lives, and how it has been the most mentally draining experience they’ve ever encountered.”

“We invite anyone who wants to learn more, support someone or raise awareness to get involved this Eating Disorders Awareness Week, you can find all the details on our website www.bodywhys.ie and social media platforms. We are always here to listen, and we remain committed to creating a safe, non-judgemental space where all stories are heard, and welcomed.”

People can and do recover from eating disorders  

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Barry Murphy
Research and Policy Officer
Tel: 087 1198778
research@bodywhys.ie

Notes for editors

• Bodywhys is the national voluntary organisation supporting people affected by eating disorders. An estimated 188,895 people in Ireland will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. (Source: HSE National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders)

• In November 2024, the Health Research Board (HRB) published data indicating that eating disorders and depression were the most common diagnoses in child and adolescent mental health units. The HRB noted that admission rates for eating disorders have increased since 2019 up to and including 2023

• REConnect has been developed by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and is based on 12 years of research into the importance of social relationships for people living with or recovering from an eating disorder. The groups are run by trained Bodywhys facilitators, and the service is supervised by the Bodywhys Support Services Manager.

• Bodywhys free online psychoeducation PiLaR programme for family members, parents and carers starts on Thursday, March 9th 2025, running from 7pm–9pm. To book a free place, please contact Christopher via pilar@bodywhys.ie

• Bodywhys online chat-based support groups, for adults, students and young people are available at www.bodywhys.ie

• Virtual support groups for adults are available at www.bodywhys.ie
• Email support and a listening ear can be accessed via alex@bodywhys.ie
• Bodywhys Helpline Number: 01-2107906