Eating Disorders Awareness Week: February 25th – March 3rd 2019
Over 600 family members supported by free eating disorders programme
Harriet Parsons, Training & Development Manager with Bodywhys said “When a person develops an eating disorder it affects the whole family – family life becomes stressful, relationships change and anxiety becomes the norm. Families need support to cope with this.”
“Parents in a supporting role have many needs; education, information, emotional and practical support. They can feel isolated and alone. In order to cope and support their loved one with an eating disorder, families in turn need to be supported so that they can have the resilience to see their loved one recover.”
“Since 2014, Bodywhys has been running family programmes nationally free of charge to provide this much needed support, with over 600 family members having attended, to date. This eating disorders awareness week, our focus is on supporting families” added Parsons.
People can and do recover from eating disorders
-ENDS-
Notes for Editors
- For information about Eating Disorders Awareness Week, please see bodywhys.ie or contact 01-2834963.
- Bodywhys is the national voluntary organisation supporting people affected by eating disorders.
- Free Bodywhys PiLaR programmes for families. Laois – February 28th, Westmeath – March 28th, Dublin – May 2nd and Limerick – May 2nd.
- Bodywhys lo-call helpline: 1890 200 444
- Email support service alex@bodywhys.ie
- Bodywhys online support groups for adults and young people are available at bodywhys.ie
- The HSE’s Model of Care for Eating Disorders estimates that 188,895 people in Ireland are affected by eating disorders at some point in their lives. Approximately 1,757 new cases occur in Ireland each year in the 10-49 age group.
For further information, please contact:
Harriet Parsons, Training & Development Manager
Tel: 01 2834963
Barry Murphy, Communications Officer
Tel: 01 2834963
Mobile: 087 7769708
