Eating Disorder Awareness and Treatment Organizations

Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illness, second only to opioid overdose. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses and every single person who struggles with one deserves help. Some recent statistics on eating disorders are [1]:

• 9% of Americans will develop an eating disorder in their lifetime
• There is 1 death every 52 minutes due to complications from an eating disorder
• Eating disorders impact everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most commonly known eating disorders. However, there are other eating disorders that are serious, but treatable. These include:

• Binge eating disorder
• Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
• Pica
• Other-specified feeding or eating disorder

There are many different resources available to people with eating disorders and their loved ones.

Eating Disorder Resources

There are several different organizations that offer resources for people with eating disorders. Each organization may offer something different.

The Eating Disorder Foundation

The Eating Disorder Foundation (EDF) is a free, non-clinical resource that is available to people nationwide. EDF doesn’t provide treatment, but rather provides support, education, and community advocacy.

EDF offers the following resources [2]:

• Support groups
• Drop-in support. EDF is located in Colorado and offers walk-in support for people who need it. EDF offers a space where you can meet other people, talk to a staff, or need a safe space to have some alone time or a safe place to eat a meal.
• Resources and Referrals
• Education and outreach to community organizations and schools
• Mentorship
• Training for professionals
• Advocacy to health insurance companies and local officials

Eating Disorders Coalition

Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) is a group who works to improve eating disorder healthcare through advocacy at the federal level [3]. EDC does this in a few different ways:

• Educating Congress members
• Advocating to promote policies
• Increasing visibility of eating-disorder related issues
• Raising awareness on social media [3]

EDC provides support to people with eating disorders by pushing for greater healthcare.

National Alliance for Eating Disorders

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders is a non-profit organization that supports the eating disorder community through advocacy, education, and direct support to people who are struggling. There offerings include:

• Educational presentations
• Referrals to supportive services
• Low-cost outpatient treatment to underinsured or uninsured individuals in South Florida
• Support groups, both virtual and in-person in Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas [4]

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) is a non-profit organization that provides support to people with eating disorders in a few different ways. ANAD offers the following services:

• Eating disorders helpline. The helpline aims to answer questions and provide emotional support or referrals to people who think or know they have an eating disorder.
• Peer support groups. Peer support groups through ANAD are free and held virtually for people who are struggling.
• Recovery mentorship. Mentorship through ANAD is free and appropriate for people who are in outpatient care and have agreement from their therapist that they are a good fit for the program. Mentors and mentees meet once a week for six months virtually. Mentors provide support, empathy, and hope.
• Treatment directory and referrals. ANAD has an extensive treatment directory than can help you find eating disorder treatment. This service is free and can help you find a therapist, dietitian, doctor, psychiatrist, or treatment center [5].

National Eating Disorder Association

The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) is the largest non-profit dedicated to eating disorder support for individuals and loved ones [6]. NEDA seeks to support by offering these resources:

• Helpline. Helpline workers are trained to help callers find the support they need. Whether through online chat, phone, or text, the NEDA helpline is available Monday to Friday.
• Crisis helpline: NEDA also offers a 24/7 crisis line. This is a free support that is available through text.
• Treatment referrals and directory. NEDA has a treatment directory that can help you find virtual or local treatment
• NEDA Walks. NEDA walks allow walkers to raise money for eating disorder education, prevention, and support
• Legislative advocacy. NEDA takes issues related to eating disorder research and treatment to policy makers. This can create widespread change for people seeking treatment
• The Body Project. NEDA provides groups and workshops to high-school and college-aged girls and women. These groups center around improving body image and self-esteem.
• Feeding Hope Fund. NEDA’s Feeding Hope Fund provides money to clinical research projects. Research is how we advance and improve treatment.

Resources:

[1] Deloitte Access Economics (2020). The Social and Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in the United States of America: A Report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders. Retrieved January 2nd, 2022 from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/report-economic-costs-of-eating-disorders/

[2] The Eating Disorder Foundation. (n.d). Our Programs. https://eatingdisorderfoundation.org/about-us/programs/

[3] Eating Disorders Coalition. (n.d). Our Mission. http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org/inner_template/about_us/mission-and-goals.html

[4] National Alliance for Eating Disorders. (n.d). What We Do. https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/about/#what-we-do

[5] National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (n.d). Get Help at ANAD. https://anad.org/get-help/

[6] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d). Our Work. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/about-us/our-work

Author: Samantha Bothwell, LMFT
Page Last Reviewed on March 2, 2022 and Updated By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC