28/02/2019

Time To End Stigma Surrounding Eating Disorders

It is time to end the stigma surrounding eating disorders and encourage those affected to seek help and support, Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn, has said.

Speaking during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the party's mental health spokesperson said: "Eating Disorders Awareness Week helps fight the myths and misunderstandings that surround anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder).

"Eating Disorders can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background.

"Each year some 50-120 people in the north develop anorexia nervosa with around 170 people developing bulimia nervosa and research suggests that as many as 1 in 20 people will develop an eating disorder over their lifetime.

"As eating disorders are often highly stigmatised it is important we raise awareness of this mental health condition throughout our community and provide much-needed support and training within this area of mental health.

"No one should suffer in silence. It is vital those affected seek support and know that a listening, understanding and confidential ear will be there to guide them towards recovery."

(MH/CM)

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