The Eating Disorder Foundation

We are HERE at Denver Pridefest alongside ERC and La Luna Center! Come check out our booth as we celebrate the 50TH ANNIVERSARY of Denver Pride.

🌈🏳️‍🌈🦄

Wondering why an eating disorder org would be so enthusiastic about Pride? The stats speak for themselves - the LGBTQ+ community includes some of the most at-risk demographics for eating disorders.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing body image or food struggles, check out our LGBTQ+ and Trans+/Nonbinary groups, tonight's educational workshop, or our booth at Denver Pridefest this weekend!

Coming up soon! Our next workshop explores how eating disorders affect people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Learn more and register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-intersectionality-of-the-lgbtq-community-and-eating-disorders-registration-917890393877, or find it on our YouTube channel later this week!

In 2023, the Healthy Kids Colorado survey included questions about eating disorders and body image for the first time. The Healthy Kids Colorado survey is the state’s most comprehensive survey on the health and well-being of young people. And the results are troubling...

View the data at https://cdphe.colorado.gov/hkcs

Are you seeking support from someone who understands what you are going through? The next round of EDF's Mentorship Program starts soon! Submit your application by June 18th. Learn more and apply at eatingdisorderfoundation.org/request-a-mentor/

The summer garden circle resumes tomorrow!

In-person Garden Circle
2nd and 4th Saturdays
10-11 AM
June - August
At EDF's office in Denver

Sign up at eatingdisorderfoundation.org/sign-up/ or just show up and register in person!

The first LGBTQ+ support group of Pride Month is tonight! We hope we will see you there 😁 - learn more and sign up at eatingdisorderfoundation.org/support-groups/

Every Wednesday, 5:30 – 6:30pm (MT)

Happy Pride Month from everyone here at The Eating Disorder Foundation! We are so excited to celebrate, honor, and care for our queer-identified members this month and always.

At EDF, support is open, welcoming, and accessible to all. We'll be participating in events and sharing resources all month to help you find support.

Be sure to join us at Denver PrideFest on June 22nd and 23rd, where EDF will have a booth in collaboration with Eating Recovery Center and La Luna Center - please visit us to hang out, get resources, or participate in a fun advocacy art project! This will be a special one, too - celebrating 50 years of Denver Pride.

The recording of this year's hottest workshop is up on YouTube! Check out all our recorded workshops from the last few years on our YouTube channel youtube.com/ for all kinds of support and skills

Introducing EDF's newest program: networking and continuing education for professionals!

Become a COPro member at eatingdisorderfoundation.org/copro/

Mental health is complicated, and it's hard to figure out where to start! Luckily, EDF is here to provide a supportive environment where folks can take things at their own pace. There's really no right way to do recovery. People find success using a wide variety of options, such as self-help books, therapists, dietitians, treatment programs, etc. Whichever option feels most comfortable for you is great. Learn how to start with us at eatingdisorderfoundation.org

1 in 5 people will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime. Of the 30 million Americans who struggle with an eating disorder, more than half face at least one other mental health issue.

Mental health remains widely misunderstood, and because of the shame and stigma associated with mental illness, few get the help they need. But everyone has mental health; learning to address stigma and talk about mental illness helps everyone.

This month, you can find us sharing awareness facts and resources on our social media - on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. You can also join us at one of our upcoming events.

eatingdisorderfoundation.org/calendar/

Tonight:

— Conceiving a Healthy Recovery —

Exploring the Connection between Fertility, Motherhood, and Eating Disorders

When: Thursday, April 18th
Time: 5:00-6:00pm Mountain Time
Who: Everyone is welcome
Where: Virtually on Zoom
Cost: Free

Brought to you in collaboration with Kate Daigle Counseling.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/863181738817

Thanks to all of you who made it to our screening of Your Fat Friend Film with Denver Fatties! If you weren't able to make it or want to dive in a little deeper, you can find books by Aubrey Gordon and other EDF recommendations at https://tinyurl.com/edfbooks

Did you know that it is not technically against the law in Colorado for students to bully each other on the basis of body size? Well it will be soon!

EDF recently advocated for a new law that would add weight, height, and body size to the list of protected classes in bullying policies alongside disability, race, creed, color, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. The policy has passed and is on its way to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

Big thanks to the members of the Colorado Alliance for Size Equity and other advocates who stood behind this policy to protect students in Colorado.

CASE members include NAAFA, FLARE Project, , The Body Activists, LLC, Be Real., Brownstone Psychotherapy, Carmen Cool, Colorado Black Women for Political Action - CBWPA, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and Mental Health Colorado

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We are now accepting caregiver mentee applications!

If you are seeking support from someone who understands what you are going through as a caregiver, now is the time to fill out your caregiver mentee application. Through EDF’s Caregiver Mentorship Program, we will match you with a caregiver mentor who has walked the path and understands the complexity of supporting a loved one on their recovery journey. This 10-week program will provide one-on-one support during weekly connections. We strongly believe in the power of connection, meaningful conversations, and creating a community of like-minded individuals. We welcome individuals from all states in the US. Please note that this program has a limited number of available mentors, so there is no guarantee you will be paired.

Are you ready to take the next step?
Please send all completed applications to [email protected] by Tuesday, April 16th.

Go to our website to find more information about becoming a caregiver mentee at eatingdisorderfoundation.org/request-a-caregiver-mentor/

Want to be a caregiver mentor?

As someone who deeply understands the process of recovery, you have a unique gift to offer. Become a caregiver mentor and offer hope, understanding, and vital information to another caregiver who needs some connection in the complex journey of supporting someone struggling with an eating disorder.

Who can be a caregiver mentor?
• A parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, partner, etc. with at least 2 years personal experience being a caregiver or main support system of a loved one with disordered eating or an eating disorder.
• Someone who is willing to share their personal story and impacts of being a caregiver.
• Someone who is aware of their personal experience and seeks support when needed.
• Can dedicate at least 1 weekly meeting for 10 weeks.
• Find more information about becoming a caregiver mentor on our website.

Under the law, the majority of health plans are required to include coverage for mental health and addiction treatment services. If you believe your coverage is being denied unlawfully, you have the right to take action against your health plan. Find out more at DontDenyMe.org.

If you are in a larger body, has your doctor or insurance company ever pressured you to use GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy? There's a bill coming up in the Colorado Legislature regarding GLP-1 medications. We want to know more data about whether scenarios like the ones in this article have been happening to our members. If you have stories to share, please reach out to us at [email protected].

https://www.thecut.com/article/doctors-pushing-ozempic-weight-loss-ignoring-fat-patients.html

Senator Michaelson Jenet

Act now: Tell Colorado Lawmakers to prioritize funding for SB24-117: Eating Disorder Treatment & Recovery! Write to your Legislators to ensure individuals are receiving trauma-informed eating disorder care: https://www.mentalhealthcolorado.org/policy-action-center/

Thanks to for helping to make all this happen!

Repost from

"After multiple rounds of community input and revisions, we are finally rolling out the third iteration of the Health at Every Size® Principles! During this revision process, we also identified the need for more structure to guide healthcare providers in becoming HAES®-aligned. So, we created the new Health at Every Size® Framework of Care.

Members & Event Registrants: Check out the recording of our unveiling event on March 27 to get even more in-depth information on the history of HAES® & the process we took to get here.



Image descriptions:
Slide 1: Teal background with the stages of metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. Text reads: Introducing the revised Health at Every Size® Principles, asdah.org/haes

Slide 2: Teal background with butterfly in corner. Text reads: Health at Every Size® Principles: Healthcare is a human right for people of all sizes, including those at the highest end of the size spectrum.

Slide 3: Teal background with butterfly in corner. Text reads: Health at Every Size® Principles: Care is fully provided only when free from anti-fat bias and offered with people of all sizes in mind.

Slide 4: Teal background with butterfly in corner. Text reads: Health at Every Size® Principles: Health is a sociopolitical construct that reflects the values of society.

Slide 5: Teal background with butterfly in corner. Text reads: Health at Every Size® Principles: Wellbeing, care, and healing are resources that are both collective and deeply personal.

Slide 6: Teal background with the stages of metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. Text reads: The Next Evolution of Health at Every Size® is here, learn more at asdah.org/haes"

April is Autism & Neurodiversity Awareness Month!

Did you know that 37% of EDF's members identify as neurodivergent in some way?

Eating disorders can intersect with neurodiversity in many ways, and it's very common for people with eating disorders to also have autism, ADHD, OCD, or other conditions under the "neurodivergent umbrella." Neurodivergence means that someone may think, learn, behave, or process information in a different way from what many consider "normal" (aka neurotypical), but is essentially just a variation in cognitive processing. Neurodivergent individuals may have cognitive differences that increase their risk of disordered eating, such as sensory sensitivities, food avoidance, trouble connecting with hunger cues, impulsivity, need for control, routines and rituals around food, intense interests, and more. They may also experience a need to 'fit in,' social isolation, bullying, etc.

If you are 18+, identify as neurodivergent, and are seeking connection amongst the eating disorder community, please join us for our Neurodivergent Monthly Connections! No diagnosis is required or requested. We meet on the last Wednesday of each month to explore and discuss different topics and themes regarding being neurodivergent and in recovery. Learn more at www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/monthly-connections

— Conceiving a Healthy Recovery —

Exploring the Connection between Fertility, Motherhood, and Eating Disorders

When: Thursday, April 18th
Time: 5:00-6:00pm Mountain Time
Who: Everyone is welcome
Where: Virtually on Zoom
Cost: Free

Brought to you in collaboration with Kate Daigle Counseling.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/863181738817?aff=oddtdtcreator

— One week away! Confident Caregiving 2-Day Retreat —

Inspired by our Caregiver Skills Monthly Connection and facilitated by Bryn Miller, LPC, CEDS-C, CAT-EFFT, this 2-day retreat uses Emotion Focused Family Therapy to help caregivers regain their sense of confidence in supporting their loved one with a mental health issue. Get the tools you need and the support you deserve so you can start feeling more calm, confident and connected, both to your loved one and the Caregiver you want to be.

April 5th & 6th
9am-4:30pm each day
In-person (local and out-of-state participants welcome)
Cost: $500 for one caregiver
$250 for each additional caregiver

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/808346063837

Professionals and clinicians! There's an opportunity for you to join us in this retreat to build your clinical skills. Please reach out to [email protected] to learn more.

— Last chance to join our team for the Colfax Marathon! —

Do you know a runner that you'd like to introduce to resources? Do you want to raise money for EDF? Do you want to raise awareness about eating disorders among runners? Would you like to join our 5k walk group?

May 17th - 19th, run or walk your choice of a 5k, marathon, half-marathon, urban 10 miler, or marathon relay, and know that your participation is supporting EDF's work to break the silence and rebuild lives.

Help us get 25 registrations for our team by April 1st so we can get a tent at the finish line and reach over 21,000 people with information about our services! If you've already registered for a race, you can change your registration to support our team.

Note - We encourage folks to consider the 5K, a low-key event that is perfect for families, walkers, and dogs! if you do not have a healthy relationship with movement or running is part of your personal struggle, we ask that you find other ways to support EDF.

Register at www.runcolfax.org!

As a member of the Collaborative of Eating Disorders Organizations (CEDO), EDF is extremely concerned about the lack of consideration for eating disorders during Oprah's recent special. While Oprah’s personal journey and body autonomy is very important, the Special unfortunately perpetuates diet culture and anti-fat bias, which can often fuel the development of disordered eating and eating disorders. The use of GLP-1s in pursuit of weight loss can increase the risk for developing an eating disorder, contribute to relapse for those who have previously struggled, and exacerbate the symptomatology in individuals who are currently struggling.

As the popularity of GLP-1s soars, the lack of consideration for the negative impact on disordered eating, and contribution to medical weight stigma and fatphobia will put lives in danger. We strongly urge healthcare providers and the community at-large to include eating disorders in this crucial conversation.

To read the full statement, please visit: https://www.eatingdisorderscollaborative.org/post/cedo-s-response-to-the-oprah-special-shame-blame-and-the-weight-loss-revolution

Are you seeking support from someone who understands what you are going through? The next round of EDF's Mentorship Program starts soon! Submit your application by March 26th. Learn more and apply at eatingdisorderfoundation.org/request-a-mentor/

"Colorado is a national hub for eating disorder treatment, yet the state does not regulate treatment plans"

Colorado eating disorder patients say they’ve been subjected to n**e weigh-ins, forced to eat non-vegan foods Colorado is a national hub for eating disorder treatment, yet the state does not regulate treatment plans