NEDIC - National Eating Disorder Information Centre

It's the Labour Day long weekend, and we'll be closed on Sunday and Monday to allow our team time to rest. We have regular hours this week until Saturday (open 12pm-5pm!) and then resume regular hours on Tuesday September 3. You're always welcome to leave us a message, and we'll respond ASAP when we reopen.

💻 live chat at nedic.ca
📞 helpline 1-866-NEDIC-20 or 416-340-4156
📆 Monday - Thursday 9am - 9pm, Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Image Description:
Light blue background with white clouds and a light yellow post-it note taped in the centre. Dark blue text reads, "Holiday Hours. Saturday, August 31st - 12pm - 5pm. Sunday, September 1st - CLOSED. Monday, September 2nd - CLOSED." Dark grey text "NEDIC" logo.

NEDIC is thrilled to be participating in the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED), a first-of-its-kind international initiative that brings together all people involved in eating disorders research - researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, advocates, not-for-profit and industry representatives - globally.

CoRe-ED will launch in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday, 25th September 2024. Learn more and register - 🔗 in bio. A recording will be available after!

Image descriptions:
Slide 1: half of a globe at the bottom centre with green land and blue sea on a background of light blue with fluffy white clouds. In front of the globe, 10 hands representing a variety of skin tones. Bold text in centre reads "The Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED)" and above that in a smaller font "NEDIC is participating in the launch of an exciting first-of-its-kind international initiative!"
Slide 2: the same background as slide 1 with half of a globe in front of a blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Text reads " The Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED) unites everyone involved in eating disorders research – researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, advocates, not-for-profit and industry representatives – with the aim of promoting innovations in eating disorders research by empowering all voices, and ultimately creating new therapies for all people experiencing eating disorders."
Slide 3: the same background as slide 1 with half of a globe in front of a blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Text reads "CoRe-ED will officially launch in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday September 25th, 2024, and anyone can attend virtually for free via Zoom. Even if you can't attend live, you are encouraged to register to ensure that you receive access to the recording and the invitation to obtain free membership for the consortium."

that BodySense was created with researchers, experts and sport leaders? This new e-learning course takes a preventative approach to body image and disordered eating while fostering positive, healthy, and safe sport experiences.

Take the course today! Go to https://cces.ca/bodysense


NEDIC - National Eating Disorder Information Centre

A safety plan can support in managing disordered eating thoughts/behaviours and reducing potential harm to your well-being. This can include... Recognizing when/how disordered eating affects your daily life; and Gaining a better understanding of what coping strategies and supports work best for you. A safety plan can help you identify ways to cope and plan how to get support when you may need it. Scroll through to learn more about this resource from and !

Image descriptions:
Slide 1: White background with green banner at the top reading, "My Safety Plan: Disordered Eating." Sub-heading below reads, "A new resource from NEDIC and Kids Help Phone!" Body text reads, "This resources explores: The differences between eating disorders & disordered eating; Why someone may want to create a safety plan; and How to create a safety plan to cope with disordered eating." Green phone graphic with speech bubble emerging from the centre in bottom left corner. Green and purple text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath. Large, green block letters reading "KHP" with "Kids Help Phone" inside the letter "H" to form the Kids Help Phone logo.
Slide 2: White background green, yellow, and purple abstract design along the right side. Heading reads, "Why might I want to have a safety plan to cope with disordered eating?" Body text reads, "A safety plan can support in managing disordered eating thoughts/behaviours and reducing potential harm to your well-being. This can include... Recognizing when/how disordered eating affects your daily life; and Gaining a better understanding of what coping strategies and supports work best for you. A safety plan can help you identify ways to cope and plan how to get support when you may need it." Bottom left corner is a Black man speaking with a young, Black girl at a desk.
Slide 3: White background with yellow and purple abstract design along the top. Heading reads, "How can I create a safety plan to cope with disordered eating?" Body text below reads, "Some things that may be helpful to consider: Create your safety plan ahead of time, for example when you’re feeling calm and in control of your thoughts; Ask people you trust to help you create it(e.g. a family or community member, youth group leader, an Elder, or even someone on NEDIC’s helpline); Know that it’s OK if your plan changes as you identify new strategies that work better for you, or if your situation changes; and Consider where to keep your safety plan so you can easily access it." Bottom right corner is a graphic of two pink phones side by side. There are two white women emerging from each screen, one showing comfort and care towards the other.
Slide 4: White background with green, yellow, and purple abstract design in the top left corner. Green heading reads, "What should I include in my safety plan?" Sub-heading reads, "As you create your safety plan, you may wish to consider:" Listed below reads, "Identifying what may contribute to disordered eating for you, E.g. Comments by others about your body and/or eating habits; What coping strategies you prefer to use to manage difficult thoughts/ feelings in the moment, E.g. Mindfulness, grounding exercises; Listing your personal/ professional supports, E.g. Consider someone you trust, what role they can play, and how you can best contact them." White woman sitting in a pink chair across from a white man, both smiling and having a conversation.
Slide 5: White background with abstract purple, green, and yellow design on the left side of the image. Purple circle in top left corner reads, "To access this resource, visit:" and green banner across the centre reads, "NEDIC web link." Below are NEDIC's helpline and live chat hours and contact information. Green and purple text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath. Large, green block letters reading "KHP" with "Kids Help Phone" inside the letter "H" to form the Kids Help Phone logo.

Integrating Digital Technology in eating disorder treatment

As AI continues to evolve, its application in eating disorder treatment is becoming more prominent.

Join Dr. Gemma Sharp and Sara Marini on August 28 as they explore this critical topic and present their pioneering work.

Secure Your Spot: https://hubs.ly/Q02L6Pg50

Everyone's recovery journey is unique. We're here to support you every step of the way.

💻 live chat at nedic.ca
📞 1-866-NEDIC-20 or 416-340-4156 in the GTA
Monday - Thursday 9am -9pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday 12pm - 5pm
All times Eastern.

Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: Light green background with half of a white circle appearing from the top reading, "What some people think recovery looks like:" Below is a gently road with four destination points (in red, blue, purple, and green) along the way. Black arrow in right corner indicating to see next page with text reading, "Versus..." Purple footer reads, "NEDIC weblink. NEDIC phone number." with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram icons alongside a white text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath.
Slide 2: Light green background with half of a white circle appearing from the top reading, "What recovery commonly looks like:" Black thread with two yellow destination points at the top and bottom and a giant squiggle in between them. Bottom left is a black circle with text inside reading, "Recovery is not linear. You deserve support along the way." Purple footer reads, "NEDIC weblink. NEDIC phone number." with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram icons alongside a white text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath.

NEDIC is thrilled to be participating in the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED), a first-of-its-kind international initiative that brings together all people involved in eating disorders research - researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, advocates, not-for-profit and industry representatives - globally.

CoRe-ED will launch in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday, 25th September 2024. Learn more at https://core-ed.com.au/ or register for the launch https://www.eventbrite.com/e/official-launch-consortium-for-research-in-eating-disorders-tickets-912990578397.

Image descriptions:
Slide 1: half of a globe at the bottom centre with green land and blue sea on a background of light blue with fluffy white clouds. In front of the globe, 10 hands representing a variety of skin tones. Bold text in centre reads "The Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED)" and above that in a smaller font "NEDIC is participating in the launch of an exciting first-of-its-kind international initiative!"
Slide 2: the same background as slide 1 with half of a globe in front of a blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Text reads " The Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED) unites everyone involved in eating disorders research – researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, advocates, not-for-profit and industry representatives – with the aim of promoting innovations in eating disorders research by empowering all voices, and ultimately creating new therapies for all people experiencing eating disorders."
Slide 3: the same background as slide 1 with half of a globe in front of a blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Text reads "CoRe-ED will officially launch in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday September 25th, 2024, and anyone can attend virtually for free via Zoom. Even if you can't attend live, you are encouraged to register to ensure that you receive access to the recording and the invitation to obtain free membership for the consortium."

We're here to lend a helping paw. 🐾

💌 Connect with the helpline on live chat or the phone today until 9pm Eastern.

Image Description: Dark peach background and three white speech bubbles with a blue outline around the outside. The speech bubble in the top left corner reads, "I know things have been kind of tough for you right now", the second one on the right side reads, "And I want you to know that there are people in your corner", and the third one on the bottom left reads, "You're not a burden for needing some support - I'll be around whenever and wherever you need me". In the bottom right corner is a smiling, brown and cream coloured dog with a red speech bubble above its head with a heart inside of it. White text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath.

Eating disorders affect people of all genders, s*xual orientations, ages, socioeconomic class, abilities, races, and ethnic backgrounds. Although eating disorders do not discriminate in who they affect, an individual's lived experience of their eating disorder can be impacted by aspects of their identity. Want to talk about your specific situation and see what resources are available? Chat with a trained helpline worker on live chat or the phone until 5pm today.

Image description: a group of people in a field on a sunny day with clouds and mountains in the background and a tree along the right side. There is a large group of diverse people, including from left to right: a Black man running in the background, a Black woman and a woman with light brown skin sitting on the grass in the foreground, a person wearing a hoodie and a baseball cap talking to a Black woman, a white person in a wheelchair next to a white child and a person with long hair sitting on the ground, and a group of three people looking at their phones.

Summer fun can sometimes stir up negative feelings towards our bodies. ☀️

Every body deserves to feel loved and appreciated. We are here to chat through any thoughts/feelings that may come up during this time. 💛

Image Description: Light blue ombre background, mimicking a pool. Floating are three inflatable pool donuts, coloured green, purple, and pink. Text on the pool floats read, "Your body does not define your worth", "Wearing summer clothes can heighten your awareness of your body", and "You are allowed to wear clothes that feel best for you, regardless of how others choose to dress." Top left corner is a racialized woman with pink hair laying on an orange and pink donut pool float with heart-shaped sunglasses. Blue text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath.

Are you worried that your child may be experiencing Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder? You're not alone. Our parent/carer screening tool for ARFID is here to support you on your child's journey to recovery and healing -- whatever that may look like for them! Take the first step towards helping your child build a more positive relationship with food. 🌼✨

Dark pink background with lighter pink dots. Light pink scalloped box in the center. In the top left and bottom right corner, an orange and pink rainbow with a white cloud, and a pink daisy with a yellow center and bright pink border. In the top right and bottom left corner, a dark pink daisy with a light pink center. Dark pink title reads, "Screen for ARID (Parent/Carer)". Below dark pink text reads, "NEDIC’s screening tool can help you identify whether your child's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours relating to food, eating, and/or their body are consistent with symptoms of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Note: It is not a diagnostic tool and not a substitute for a professional evaluation." Below is a pink rounded rectangle with light pink text that reads, "learn more at: weblink".

Empowering others through shared experiences, and working towards a world where every body feels seen, heard, and valued. NEDIC's "Guide to Eating Disorders in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community by Individuals with Lived Experience for Community Members and Carers" offers information and resources on providing affirming care for every body. 💜🏳️‍🌈

Image descriptions:
Slide 1: Light beige background with a light pink rectangular text box in the top left corner. Heading inside reads, "Affirming Care for Every Body" with the bottom right corner of the text folded to reveal rainbow striped on the back side. Body text below reads, "A Guide to Eating Disorders in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community by Individuals with Lived Experience for Community Members and Carers" with NEDIC web link. Top right corner is an outline of two holding hands, one of them wearing a rainbow bracelet. Bottom left corner is a graphic of a Black woman holding up a Pride flag behind her back. White text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath.
Slide 2: Light beige background with heading that reads, "Table of Contents." In a light pink text box below is a list that reads, "About this resource, The 'journey', Early conversations about gender, s*xuality, and the body, Youth and Puberty, Adulthood, and Self-Advocacy: Taking action to meet your needs." Top right corner is an outline of two holding hands, one of them wearing a rainbow bracelet. Bottom right corner is a white woman smiling and holding up a Pride flag.

Embrace the beauty of August with journal prompts blooming with inspiration as you embark on your journey (whatever that looks like for you)! 🌻 Let your pen dance among the flowers and soar with the butterflies! 🦋🌼

Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: Light yellow background with a orange flower with a green leaf in the top right corner, two purple butterflies in the top left corner, an orange beehive pattern in the bottom right corner, and a purple ooblong shape with a green leaf in the bottom left corner. Yellow text reads, "August Journal Prompts". In the bottom left corner, white “NEDIC” logo with “National Eating Disorder Information Centre” underneath.
Slide 2: Light yellow background that has a white box with black borders across the centre. In the top left and bottom right corners, are four stripes: one yellow, one orange, one purple, and one green. In the top right corner is two purple butterflies, and in the bottom left corner is a bee. Black text reads, "Journal Prompt #1. Spend a couple of minutes writing down whatever thoughts, words, or phrases come to mind."
Slide 3: Light yellow background that has a white box with black borders across the centre. In the top left and bottom right corners, are four stripes: one yellow, one orange, one purple, and one green. In the top right corner is two purple butterflies, and in the bottom left corner are two bees. Black text reads, "Journal Prompt #2. What is your favorite memory from this year so far?"
Slide 4: Light yellow background that has a white box with black borders across the centre. In the top left and bottom right corners, are four stripes: one yellow, one orange, one purple, and one green. In the top right corner is two purple butterflies, and in the bottom left corner are three bees. Black text reads, "Journal Prompt #3. What three things would you most like others (loved ones, friends,partners, etc.) to know about you?"
Slide 5: Light yellow background that has a white box with black borders across the centre. In the top left and bottom right corners, are four stripes: one yellow, one orange, one purple, and one green. In the top right corner is two purple butterflies, and in the bottom left corner are four bees. Black text reads, "Journal Prompt #4. What difficult thoughts or emotions come up most frequently for you, and how do you handle these emotions?"
Slide 6: Light yellow background that has a white box with black borders across the centre. In the top left and bottom right corners, are four stripes: one yellow, one orange, one purple, and one green. In the top right corner is two purple butterflies, and in the bottom left corner are five bees. Black text reads, "Journal Prompt #5. What place makes you feel most peaceful? Describe that place using all five senses."

It can be hard to tell from if someone has an eating disorder. It's especially difficult when so many disordered behaviours are normalized. Here are some of the things you may notice if someone around you is struggling with an eating disorder. If you're concerned about someone you love and not sure how to talk to them about it, reach out to the helpline for support.

Image Description: Magenta background with a pale floral pattern with leaves. Heading reads, "Signs someone might be struggling with disordered eating." Cartoon person in the centre resting their head on their head while crying. Surrounding them are eight white circles. The text inside them reads, "Sudden change in food preferences", "Anxiety from changes in routines/plans", "Less interest in activities or hobbies", "Low mood, fatigue, irritability", "Meal rituals (e.g. bathroom after meal)", "Negative self-talk and body negativity", "Secretive eating", and "Social withdrawal and avoidance". White text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath.

With society emphasizing physical activity as a part of a 'healthy' lifestyle, distinguishing between regular exercise and dysfunctional movement can be challenging. NEDIC's Dysfunctional Movement pamphlet explains what is is, its connection to eating disorders, and offers guidance for supporting those impacted. Our focus for this post being helping yourself when you are experiencing difficulties with dysfunctional movement! 🤗

Access the resource:https://nedic.ca/media/uploaded/NEDIC_Dysfunctional_Movement_Pamphlet_-_Online.pdf

Image descriptions:
Slide 1: Light blue background with varying shades of blue waves across the top and bottom. Dark blue text in the center reads, "Dysfunctional Movement". Blue “NEDIC” logo with “National Eating Disorder Information Centre” underneath.
Slide 2: Light blue background with varying shades of blue waves across the top. Dark blue text reads, "Dysfunctional movement can be defined as any exercise or activity that is: Rigid or rule-based, Used primarily to regulate one’s emotions, Compulsive, and Driven by a desire to change one’s body shape or weight. These characteristics can be present across movement types, from sport and exercise (e.g., workouts) to incidental activity (e.g., walking to the bus stop with the goal of taking a certain number of steps). Individuals with eating disorders may also experience hyperactivity that, in comparison, is less voluntary - this is a neurobiological reaction to being in a starved state."
Slide 3: Light blue background with varying shades of blue waves across the bottom. Dark blue text reads, "How can I help myself if I have difficulties with dysfunctional movement? Talk to someone you trust about your difficulties and be open about the effects on your mental and physical health. Support and understanding can help decrease feelings (e.g., guilt or anxiety) that trigger or perpetuate dysfunctional movement. Remind yourself that 'exercise' should not be 'torture-cise'. Tailor your activity to your current mental and physical health status. Do not engage in strenuous activity if you are struggling to eat enough to meet your body’s energy needs." Below reads, "1/2".
Slide 4: Light blue background with varying shades of blue waves across the bottom. Dark blue text reads, "How can I help myself if I have difficulties with dysfunctional movement? Learn to recognize the feelings or situations that trigger dysfunctional movement. Develop coping strategies (e.g., talking with a loved one or expressing yourself through art) that help create space between feelings and habitual responses (e.g., acting on the urge to exercise). Find alternative ways to meet your emotional and physical needs. Think about what truly matters to you and choose actions that are in line with your values and long-term goals." Below reads, "2/2".

🌅 Good morning!🌅 We hope you had a wonderful long weekend. If you're having a hard time, we're back in the office and here to support you. 💜💜

Image Description:
Mint green background with image of Corgi dog reaching for a bone. Text above Corgi reads." hey, Corg-eous! I’m proud of the paw-gress you’re making - every little step counts." White text "NEDIC" logo with "National Eating Disorder Information Centre" underneath.

☀️We're here tomorrow and Saturday, and then we'll be closed on Sunday and Monday. You can always leave us a message and we'll get back to you ASAP when we reopen.☀️
💻 live chat @ nedic.ca
📞 1-866-433-6220 (416-340-4156 in the GTA)
✉️ [email protected]

Image Description: Light beige background. Pink star fish at the top left corner. Dark green title reads, "NEDIC closure." To the bottom left of the title is a pink starfish. Below, in green text reads, "August Long Weekend Hours. Saturday, August 3rd: Open. Live Chat & Helpline, 12pm to 5pm. Sunday, August 4th: closed. Monday, August 5th: Closed." In the bottom left-hand corner are blue waves. In the bottom right-hand corner is a smiling red crab standing on top of a beige sand pile with two brown starfish.

Elevate athlete well-being through a holistic approach! BodySense is a new interactive e-learning course that empowers you to:

• Navigate body image with confidence.
• Balance physical and mental health.
• Cultivate respect and compassion for the body.

To learn more about , go to www.cces.ca/bodysense

Image Description:
Ombre background of white, light pink, and blue colour tones, fading across the page. On the right side of the image in the background is a translucent picture in the background of a woman smiling to the side, who is wearing a hijab. Main heading reads, “Body Sense” in a blue, purple, and orange ombre-coloured text. Sub-heading below reads, “A whole-self approach to athlete well-being.” Below is an ombre-filled text box that reads, “Take the course!” At the bottom of the page, the image reads, “The CCES gratefully acknowledges the National Eating Disorder Information Centre’s (NEDIC) collaboration.” At the top left of the image is a logo with black text reading “Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport” with the words clustered and facing different directions. Beside it, to the right, is a black text logo reading, “True Sport” with the letter “O” coloured red.

Just two more days to share your thoughts!
The Government of Canada is investing $500 million in a new Youth Mental Health Fund to make it easier for youth in Canada to get mental health care by breaking down barriers. The fund aims to break down barriers that stop them from asking for help or receiving care. The government is gathering perspectives on priority areas to improve youth mental health. Share your thoughts in English or French through July 31! https://nedic.ca/ymhf/

Image Description:
Dark purple background with light purple oblong shapes in top left and bottom right corners. White title reads, "Youth Mental Health Fund". Below white box with purple and black text reading, "Have your say. You can help shape the future of youth mental health care in Canada! The Government of Canada is investing $500 million in a new Youth Mental Health Fund to make it easier for youth in Canada to get mental health care by breaking down barriers. Any Canadian aged 16 or older can participate in an online consultation. Your feedback will help guide the focus of the new Youth Mental Health Fund. It is available in English and French until July 31, 2024. NEDIC, Body Peace Canada, and Eating Disorders Nova Scotia encourage everyone who is eligible to complete the online questionnaire. Many of the individuals who use our service report that it is crucial for eating disorder support to be more widely available. This consultation is a great opportunity to share your thoughts. Your voice matters!"

Are you blooming with creativity, but feeling unsure of what is involved to submit your work? Not to worry, we're happy to walk you through the Blog Submission Guidelines for Authors and get you one step closer to sharing your experience! Work is welcomed from affected individuals, folks who love someone who has an ED, and professionals who work in the field. If you have any questions/concerns, you are welcome to get in touch via [email protected]. 💜✍️

Image descriptions:
Slide 1:Beige background with a light pink flower, a purple rose, a white daisy, and green leaves around the edges. Green text in centre reads, "The NEDIC blog is open for submissions!" with black text below readings, "Interested in partaking?" Green arrow pointing to the right underneath.
Slide 2: Beige background with a light pink flower, a purple rose, a white daisy, and green leaves around the edges. Green text in centre reads, "The NEDIC blog is open for submissions!" with black text below readings, "Interested in partaking?" Green arrow pointing to the right underneath.
Slide 3: Beige background with a light pink flower, a purple rose, a white daisy, and green leaves around the edges. Green text in centre reads, "NEDIC Blog Submission Guidelines for Authors".
Slide 4: Beige background with a light pink flower in top right corner and green leaves in bottom left corner. Black text in centre reads, "Thank you for your interest in contributing to the NEDIC blog! Please review the following guidelines prior to submission. We welcome submissions sent to email address. Please include the following with your submission:".
Slide 5: Beige background with a white daisy in top left corner. Green text in top right corner reads, " #1". Black text below reads, "Draft of your blog (generally 500-1000 words), adhering to the content requirements below. Please proofread for correct spelling and grammar prior to submission. Please include a title for your blog
Your submission should be a Word document or a Google Doc shared with the email address. Please do not submit your blog as a PDF."
Slide 6: Beige background with a light pink flower in top right corner. Green text in top left corner reads, " #2". Black text below reads, "A photo to be published alongside the blog. This photo will be used as the header image of the blog post. Please submit a photo that is royalty free and connected to the perspective or meaning of the submission.
Photos of this nature can be found through websites such as Unsplash. Please be mindful that images of bodies or food can be triggering for some readers. If you do not wish to choose a photo, we will choose one for the blog."Photos of this nature can be found through websites such as Unsplash. Please be mindful that images of bodies or food can be triggering for some readers. If you do not wish to choose a photo, we will choose one for the blog."
Slide 7: Beige background with a a purple rose in bottom left corner. Green text in top right corner reads, " #3". Black text below reads, "An author bio (100 words or less) to accompany the blog submission. You may include social media handles in your bio. If you wish to remain anonymous, an author bio is not required."
Slide 8: Beige background with green header reads, "Content guidelines". Black text below reads, "At NEDIC, we are committed to curating our platforms to share meaningful content with our followers. We invite writers with a variety of perspectives to share their experiences on our blog, with the intention of providing information, hope, support, and a sense of connection and community to our readers. We understand that lived experiences with eating disorders vary greatly. When writing about personal experiences, we recommend that authors speak from first person perspective to avoid making generalizations."