Programs and Services

Let's Talk Eating Disorders Schools Program (Update)

Presenter: Patricia Nash (Programs and Outreach Facilitator)

Last spring the Eating Disorder Foundation received a grant from the Dept of Health to implement a “Let’s Talk Eating Disorder School Program”. The purpose of this program is to visit twenty-five schools across Newfoundland and Labrador and educate school professionals on eating disorders. The presentation discusses such things as: what teachers need to be aware of related to eating disorders in the school system; how to be preventive; how to assist a young person who has an eating disorder and what services are available in St. John’s and around the province for someone dealing with an eating disorder.
This fall this program has met with great success. So far thirteen schools have accepted the invitation for staff to hear the presentation. Schools have been generous with their time allowing the talk during a staff meeting or have arranged a meeting just for this informative talk.  The concentration this fall was on schools outside of the St. John’s area and we are delighted at the response from schools.
Staff members have been very grateful to get this much needed information and are very appreciative to the Eating Disorder Foundation for doing this type of Outreach Program to all areas of the province. Some comments from school administrator/guidance counselors:
“Thank you for the wonderful presentation.  It will definitely enable us to help any of our students who may be faced with an eating disorder in the future.  Once again, it was very much appreciated and I hope that you continue to spread your important message throughout the province”. 

“It was very informative and the staff was impressed with it.” 

“A wonderful presentation...”

Public health nurses have been invited to attend the school presentation and feedback from nursing staff has been wonderful; they learn information about services that they did not know before this.
A number of guidance counselors in schools have been very grateful to learn of services available and have reached out now for resources that they were not aware of before this Schools Program.
The schools participating in the program so far have been:

The Foundation has received a number of requests from schools in different parts of the province for this presentation and we hope to connect with these schools in 2012.  Schools in places like Port Saunders, Doyle, Botwood, The Pathfinder Center in Stephenville and St. Lewis in Labrador have expressed both an interest and need to hear the presentation.  The Foundation is examining how to present to some of these schools by teleconference or webinar.

In Jan and February the Schools program will be offered to staff in the St. John’s and surrounding area. Invitations will soon be sent to all Junior and Senior high schools in the area.

We are delighted at the success of this program over the last few months and see its’ great benefit in helping staff work with students with an eating disorder. This type of program is helping us to not only educate staff but also to be proactive in getting help to students in need and therefore helping to facilitate their chance of a good recovery from their eating disorder. The information conveyed to schools gives them a better understanding of how to be preventive in the future by working with their students on issues like self-esteem and the healthy vitality message.

If your school is interested in participating in the Let's Talk Eating Disorders School Program, please contact program presenter Patricia Nash at 709-722-0500 or by email at patricia@edfnl.ca.

 

Family Support Program

Are you concerned about a loved one possibly having an eating disorder? Are you attempting to support a loved one with their struggle with an eating disorder? Research tells us that parents, siblings and the entire family as a whole are affected by the physical and emotional results when a family member has an eating disorder. Sometimes families are so focused on the struggles of the person with the eating disorder that they minimize the disruption to their own lives. If you need support please contact the Eating Disorder Foundation and make an appointment to see Patricia Nash (Masters in Counselling Psychology).
Telephone:  709-722-0500
Email:  patricia@edfnl.ca

 

Client Consultation Program

            For many eating disorder families, having an experienced person to speak with and confide in is very important. This is why the Foundation has opened its doors to anyone who just needs to talk and some direction in the next steps to recovery. The Foundation receives emails, telephone calls and office visits from eating disorder persons and family members who are looking for help and don’t know what their next step to recovery should be. Office Visits are extremely helpful and give participants the direction to access the resources they need. The Foundation encourages ongoing contact and to rely on us for follow-up support. If you need support please contact the Eating Disorder Foundation and make an appointment to see Patricia Nash (Masters in Counselling Psychology).
Telephone:  709-722-0500
Email:  patricia@edfnl.ca

 

Families Supporting Families Support Group

            The Foundation offers a Support Group to parents and partners supporting persons with eating disorders. The objective of this group is to respond to the needs of families who are supporting a love one who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder. They are lead by a healthcare professional and a parent. It allows parents and partners to share their stories with other families, as well as share information and available resources. These sessions are very informative and guide families to the next step to more formal treatment and support services. Sessions are usually scheduled every 6 to 8 weeks depending on the number of requests we receive from families.
To register for the next Families Supporting Families Support Group please email us. Registration is Free.
If you need support please contact the Eating Disorder Foundation and make an appointment to see Patricia Nash (Masters in Counselling Psychology).
Telephone:  709-722-0500
Email:  patricia@edfnl.ca

 

Public Awareness and Education Presentations

            The Foundation is dedicated to promoting research and providing public support services and information about matters related to eating disorders, including information on available treatment services for individuals and families who experience disordered eating. The Foundation offers presentations to Service Clubs, Public Meetings, Companies, Healthcare groups, Parent Teacher Association’s and post secondary schools. This presentation focuses on understanding eating disorders including the definition of an eating disorder, the causes and signs of an eating disorder, recent research, current treatment programs and the benefits of early detection and early treatment. To book a presentation please contact Tina at 722-0500.

 

Resource Material Loaner Program

            One of the most important actions you can take when you are supporting a love one who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder is to educate yourself. The more educated and informed you are about the disease, the easier it will be for you to cope, understand and communicate with your love one. Because of the importance of education, the Foundation has developed an extensive library of books, periodicals, brochures, DVDs & VHS tapes available for public use. We encourage the public to drop by the Foundation to take advantage of these free loaner materials. All materials are available on a loaner basis for 6 weeks. For a complete list of resource materials please click here.

 

Monthly Hope Always Message

            The Foundation also issues a monthly Hope Always Message sharing important need-to-know information for both eating disorder persons and their families who support them. It’s generally serves as a News Alert on some important message about eating disorders.

 

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

            The first week in February each year, the Foundation holds an Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The primary purpose of the week is to advocate and highlight eating disorders through a series of awareness programs, seminars, public meetings, media events etc. The week is set aside as a time to reflect on the needs of families for improved support and treatment programs.

 

Research Grant Program

            The Foundation each year provides a modest funding grant for a group/organization/person who engages in a specific and well defined Research Project designed to advance our knowledge and understanding of eating disorders.

 

Volunteer Recognition Program

            The Foundation has a large list of volunteers who contribute and support our various programs and our message of ‘Early Detection and Early Treatment”. These volunteers are a vital part of the Foundation and each year during Eating Disorder Awareness Week the Foundation recognize and award volunteers (an Individual, a Business, a Community Group) in appreciation for their outstanding commitment and contribution in support of the aims and objectives of our foundation.

 

Scholarship Program

Each year the Eating Disorder Foundation invites applications for two $1000.00 Renata Elizabeth Withers Memorial Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to two individuals who are studying in a post secondary institution within NL and whose course of study is related, broadly speaking, to eating disorders/disordered eating and plan to continue in the healthcare field. Scholarships are presented during Eating Disorder Awareness Week.