An Eating Disorder doesn’t care if you are young or old, male or female or about your race!
Young people between the ages of 8 and 17 are amongst the most vulnerable when it comes to risk of developing an eating disorder. More staggering is that it has the highest mortality rate of any other mental health illness.
Don’t suffer in isolation. Don’t think you are not worthy of treatment.
Don’t judge yourself thinking you are a bad person.
Rejoice in individuality, confidence and being your own person.
Do your best by yourself and by others and no one can ask anymore of you!
“From a seed a flower blooms as do people who blossom in life.”
How can I help my friend?
The best way to help is to encourage them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. The problem may go on longer if you cover it up. Encourage them to tell their parents, a teacher or an adult that they trust. Offer to be there with them when they do!
How can I help my mum?
Download information for young people worried about a Mum who has an eating disorder below in useful downloads list.
It can also be used to answer questions for people worried about their Dad, brother or sister.
Young People and Hospital Admission
An Introduction
The reason someone with an eating disorder is admitted to hospital is because they are medically at risk and they need hospital treatment to make sure they are physically safe.
There are two things that happen with an eating disorder. One is the mental health side of the problem, called the emotional or psychological side, and one is the physical or medical side of the illness.
If you are coping on a day to day basis it could be that you are being seen by a team of people from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as an outpatient.
One would hope that your GP or a Practice Nurse is monitoring your physical wellbeing and making sure your weight does not drop too low.
You can be kept in hospital until it is decided you are medically stable enough to go home.
Discharge might be done under the supervision of your GP. If you are not supervised by your GP then it needs too, the last thing you want is to be re-admitted.
Be Awesome, Go Big
Be Awesome, Go Big Transition Project
Be Awesome, Go Big is a package to help Year 6 students transition into Year 7. It can be used by students and parents at home or in school with teachers in class. It is designed to be motivational, helpful and reassuring and to help young people feel valued, loved, encouraged and equipped for the journey ahead. A project from PiXL Club and Hachette Children’s Group.
The resources are based on bestselling children’s books You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed and Go Big: The secondary school survival guide by Matthew Burton. Class set discounts of 50% are available for schools, visit the teacher resource page for more details.
We are delighted that our Patron Gemma Oaten is involved heavily with this awesome project, guiding children and parents through the transition of year sixers with a series of videos to help guide them during this uncertain time. The project can be applied to many a school goer though so visit the website and watch Gemma’s videos on the Year Six and Teachers section.