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Education.
Understanding.
Action.

NIED exists to give hope and support to individuals with an eating disorder and their caregivers.

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Immediate Support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis:

Please call 911, 988,

or 1-866-NEDIC-20

Our friends at the National Eating Disorders Information Centre (NEDIC) run a toll-free, anonymous helpline that you can access if you need somebody to talk to. You can phone in, email, or visit their website.

Visit NEDIC

If you are a caregiver of someone with an eating disorder:

Initial Point of Contact Program

NIED’s Initial Point of Contact is a highly accessible and timely resource for caregivers of individuals with an eating disorder. Speak to someone by phone or text message within 24 hours.

Learn More

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Latest Blog Posts

Eating Disorder Treatment in Canada: A Privilege, Not a Promise

Eating disorders affect over 1 million people in Canada (Armour et al., 2024). How many of those people actually receive treatment,...

Summer, Self-Esteem, and Eating Disorders: Breaking Free from Body Image Pressures

As the weather begins to warm up, the pressures alongside the season change are slowly coming into full effect. Summer is often a time of...

Men's Mental Health Month: A Father’s Perspective from the Frontlines of Education and Eating Disorders

Shared with permission by Dave Gervais, father and NIED Education Committee Board Member On December 5, 2021, Dave Gervais walked out of...

📅 Our next virtual support group for male caregivers is Wednesday, August 27!⁣
⁣
All of our support groups have a drop-in format. You can join any time!⁣
⁣
Join us in a safe and supportive space for male caregivers who are navigating the complexities of supporting loved ones with eating disorders.⁣
⁣
✉️ For info, email lynne@nied.ca⁣
🔗 Register at the link in our story/coming up highlight!⁣
⁣
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3VM6qGldTjK-mlX3LpTa3A

August 12 is #InternationalYouthDay. Here at NIED, we encourage drawing attention to the challenges youth face in a rapidly changing world, such as the rising prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders. While Canada lacks comprehensive surveillance on eating disorder data (1), we do know that between 2010 and 2022, 18,740 youth were hospitalized for an eating disorder (2), a statistic that brings grave concern.

With that said, International Youth Day is a time to celebrate and protect the next generation. Together, let’s shine a light on the issues impacting youth today and work towards a future where every young person can access the care and support they need.

References:

1. Raffoul, A., Nicula, M., Gao, C., & Obeid, N. (2025). A call for increased measurement of eating disorders and disordered eating in federal surveillance in Canada. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada, 45(6), 299–305. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.45.6.04

2. Toigo, S., Katzman, D. K., Vyver, E., McFaull, S. R., Iynkkaran, I., & Thompson, W. (2024). Eating disorder hospitalizations among children and youth in Canada from 2010 to 2022: a population-based surveillance study using administrative data. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00957-y

🇨🇦 Too many Canadians are falling through the cracks when it comes to eating disorder treatment.

The new powerful blog post by Olivia Kidd explores the heartbreaking reality that access to timely, evidence-based care in Canada isn’t guaranteed - it’s a privilege.

💙 Read the full post at the link in our story/blogs highlight!

💙 NIED needs your support.
From caregiver support groups to our Hand-Knit Hope program, every contribution helps us reach more people and offer comfort, connection, and safety.
Take a look through the post to see where your support goes, and if you’re able, consider donating today at nied.ca/donate.

Did you know that ADHD and eating disorders can co-occur? Research suggests that up to 20% of children with ADHD may also develop an eating disorder, with binge eating disorder being the most common. Understanding this connection is key to providing the right support and reducing stigma.

References:
National Institute of Mental Health (2024). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=What%20is%20ADHD?,are%20available%20to%20manage%20symptoms.

Nazar, B. P., Bernardes, C., Peachey, G., Sergeant, J., Mattos, P., & Treasure, J. (2016). The risk of eating disorders comorbid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 49(12), 1045–1057. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22643

Villa, F. M., Crippa, A., Rosi, E., Nobile, M., Brambilla, P., & Delvecchio, G. (2023). ADHD and eating disorders in childhood and adolescence: An updated minireview. Journal of Affective Disorders, 321, 265–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.016

Now, NIED needs 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 💙⁣
⁣
For over a decade, NIED has been a voice for education, awareness, and advocacy around eating disorders. Your support helps us continue this critical work.⁣
Donate today at nied.ca/donate and be part of real change!

📅 Our next virtual support group for male caregivers is Wednesday, July 16th!⁣
⁣
All of our support groups have a drop-in format. You can join any time!⁣
⁣
Join us in a safe and supportive space for male caregivers who are navigating the complexities of supporting loved ones with eating disorders.⁣
⁣
✉️ For info, email lynne@nied.ca⁣
🔗 Register at the link in our story/coming up highlight!

Eating disorders don’t have a “look.”

They don’t always show up on the outside.

They can look like:
✔️ Smiling on the outside, struggling inside
✔️ Canceling plans because of food anxiety
✔️ Exercising obsessively but calling it “discipline”
✔️ Constant guilt after eating
✔️ Someone in any body, at any age, from any background

The truth? Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of weight, gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

When we only focus on the stereotypes, we miss those who are suffering in silence.
Let’s change the narrative. Let’s tell the truth.

💜 You are not alone. Visit us at NIED.ca for support and resources.

Eating disorders can feel isolating for both the person struggling and their loved ones. But community changes everything.

For those in recovery:
• A safe space to be heard, seen, and understood
• Encouragement on the hard days
• Connection with others who truly “get it”

For caregivers:
• Guidance on how to support
• Validation for your own emotional experience
• Tools to navigate this journey with empathy and strength

Healing happens not just in therapy rooms, but in shared stories, listening ears, and moments of “me too.”

Whether you’re just starting out or years into recovery or caregiving, there’s a community for you. And we’re here to help you find it. 💜

🩷 Visit NIED.ca/events for support groups, webinars, and events.

🗓️Coming up soon:

💙 Support Group for Caregivers of Adults with Eating Disorders
Next session: Tuesday, July 15, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. EST

💙 Male Caregiver Support Group
Next session: Wednesday, July 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. EST

Register at the links in our “coming up” highlight!

#YouAreNotAlone #EDRecoveryCommunity #CaregiverSupport #EatingDisorderAwareness #NIED #RecoveryTogether #MentalHealthSupport

⚠️ Trigger/content warning: discussion of eating disorder symptoms

🧠 Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions, not choices. They come in many forms, and understanding the differences can help reduce stigma and support those affected. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:

🔹 Anorexia Nervosa (AN) – Characterized by extreme food restriction, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. It can affect anyone, regardless of body size.

🔹 Bulimia Nervosa (BN) – Involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use). It often occurs in secret and is fueled by shame and guilt.

🔹 Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – Recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often quickly and to the point of discomfort, without purging. It is the most common eating disorder.

🔹 Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – Limited eating not driven by body image concerns but by sensory sensitivities, fear of choking, or lack of interest in food.

🔹 Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) – Significant disordered eating that doesn’t meet the full criteria of the above diagnoses but is just as serious.

💡 Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, body sizes, and backgrounds. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. 💜

Visit NIED.ca to learn more or get support.

#EatingDisorderAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #NIED #EDRecovery #EndTheStigma

Our next Support Group for Caregivers of Adults with Eating Disorders is coming up on July 15th!

This group is designed specifically for those caregivers - parents, siblings, partners, children, other loved ones - who are caring for adults who suffer from eating disorders. It is intended to create a safe, supportive space where you can share experiences and learn about options and coping strategies - and where you can feel heard and seen.

Register at the link in our "coming up" highlight!

Our next support group for siblings is tomorrow from 4 - 5:30 pm EST! Have you registered yet?⁣
⁣
🩷 Register & join at the link in our story/coming up highlight!

🧠💙 June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day 💙🧠
Today, we acknowledge those who have been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. We also recognize that many people living with eating disorders carry the weight of trauma. As eating disorders and PTSD are found to be connected, we still aren’t completely sure why exactly they correlate. This post covers different kinds of PTSD, possible symptoms, things we know about PTSD and eating disorders and possible resources if you’d like to learn more. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness, educate ourselves and others, and advocate for more accessible care and research amongst diverse populations.

❤️‍🩹 Caring for someone with an eating disorder is an act of deep love, and it’s easy to forget that your wellbeing matters too. Here are 3 self-care ideas just for you, along with why they matter.

🩷 You can’t pour from an empty cup, so make sure you prioritize your care too.

"The first thing I want to address in this post is the perpetuating idea around the “ideal body." While it is often hard to run and hide from the amount of social media posts surrounding this topic, it is important to understand that every body is an ideal body, no matter what the media tells you."

☀️ Read the new blog post by Alexandra DiVincenzo at the link in our story/blogs highlight!

You Are Not Alone. Help Is Available.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, support is just a call or text away. Below are helplines across Canada:

🇨🇦 National:

NEDIC (National Eating Disorder Information Centre):
📞 1-866-633-4220 | Live Chat: nedic.ca
Provides information, resources, and support for Canadians affected by eating disorders.

Kids Help Phone (24/7):
📞 1-800-668-6868 | Text CONNECT to 686868 | Live Chat: kidshelpphone.ca
Offers confidential support for youth.

Wellness Together Canada:
📞 1-866-585-0445 | Live Chat: wellnesstogether.ca
Provides mental health and substance use support.

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline:
📞 Call or Text 9-8-8 | 988.ca
Offers 24/7 support for anyone in crisis or thinking about suicide.

⸻

🏔️ Provincial:

Alberta:
📞 Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
Provides 24/7 confidential support, information, and referrals for mental health concerns.

British Columbia:
📞 310-6789 (Mental Health Support Line)
Offers 24/7 emotional support and crisis intervention.

Manitoba:
Crisis Response Centre (Winnipeg, 18+): 📞 204-940-1781
Provides 24/7 crisis support and intervention services.

New Brunswick:
📞 CHIMO Helpline: 1-800-667-5005
Offers 24/7 crisis intervention services.

Newfoundland and Labrador:
📞 811 (HealthLine)
Provides health advice and mental health support.

Nova Scotia:
📞 Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167
Offers 24/7 crisis support and information.

Ontario:
📞 ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600
Connects to mental health and addiction services.

Prince Edward Island:
📞 Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-800-218-2885
Provides 24/7 crisis support.

Quebec:
📞 Info-Social: 811
Offers psychosocial support services.

Saskatchewan:
📞 HealthLine: 811
Provides health and mental health support.

Northwest Territories:
📞 NWT Help Line: 1-800-661-0844
Offers free and confidential support.

Nunavut:
📞 Kamatsiaqtut Help Line: 1-800-265-3333
Provides support for all residents.

Yukon:
📞 Yukon Distress & Support Line: 1-844-533-3030
Offers 24/7 support services.

Recovery is possible, and support is available. Sharing this information could make a difference in someone’s life. 💚

📅 Our next virtual support group for male caregivers is tomorrow, June 18th!⁣
⁣
All of our support groups have a drop-in format. You can join any time!⁣
⁣
Join us in a safe and supportive space for male caregivers who are navigating the complexities of supporting loved ones with eating disorders.⁣
⁣
✉️ For info, email lynne@nied.ca⁣
🔗 Register at the link in our story or our “coming up” highlight!

Eating Disorders in the LGBTQ+ Community: What You Need to Know

Eating disorders don’t discriminate, but social stigma, discrimination, and trauma put some communities at higher risk. The LGBTQ+ community, in particular, faces significantly elevated rates of eating disorders, body image distress, and disordered eating behaviours.

📊 Prevalence & Risk

LGBTQ+ individuals are 2–4 times more likely than their heterosexual, cisgender peers to develop an ED.

A U.S. survey found that 54% of LGBTQ+ adolescents reported engaging in disordered eating behaviours.

One study found that 71% of transgender participants had a history of disordered eating.

Trans and non-binary youth often experience EDs not only due to body image issues, but as a way to cope with gender dysphoria or attempt to change their bodies to align more closely with their gender identity.

🧠 Contributing Factors

Minority stress, including discrimination, bullying, and rejection, increases vulnerability to both EDs and other mental health challenges.

Lack of access means many LGBTQ+ individuals go undiagnosed or untreated for longer.

Body ideals within some LGBTQ+ subcultures can contribute to disordered eating patterns.

❤️‍🩹 Barriers to Care

1 in 3 LGBTQ+ individuals seeking eating disorder treatment reports negative experiences with providers due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Many treatment programs are still not inclusive or trauma-informed, and lack relevant training.

Fewer than 10% of eating disorder treatment centres offer specialized programming for LGBTQ+ individuals.

💬 What Can We Do?

Advocate for inclusive care that recognizes the unique needs of LGBTQ+ clients.

Challenge stigma by speaking openly about eating disorders in queer spaces.

Support organizations doing this work—like @NEDICCanada, @TheTrevorProject, and @TransLifeline.

Recovery is possible, but it must be inclusive. No one should be left behind.

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone 💖

Need Help?
📞 Canada: NEDIC Helpline: 1-866-633-4220
📱 USA: NEDA Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
🌍 LGBTQ+ Crisis: The Trevor Project (24/7): 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

✔️ MYTH VS. FACT

Myth: Once someone looks healthy, they’re fully recovered.

Fact: Recovery is not just physical—it includes emotional, mental, and behavioural healing, which can take time and ongoing support.

#HealingTakesTime #RecoveryIsPossible

🧶 Happy National Knit in Public Day! 🧶

At NIED, we believe that healing and hope can be woven into every stitch. Our Hand Knit Hope program brings comfort, warmth, and encouragement to individuals affected by eating disorders through hand-knit and crocheted items gifted with love 💛

Each scarf, neckwarmer, and headband is more than just a cozy item—it’s a tangible reminder that someone out there cares.

✨ Just listen to a few of the heartwarming messages we’ve received:

📬 “I am amazed that you literally sent me hope in the mail! This morning I am sitting in my yellow chair with hope and your kind words right beside me.”

🧣 “What a thoughtful way of expressing your care and support. I will wear it often and give thanks.”

🏥 “The clients had a lot of fun choosing their favourites… They were wearing them during a group today while it was snowing outside!”

🎁 “It was like Christmas on the unit, and I was like Santa Claus! I can’t even tell you how excited and moved the patients were.”

🎀 “It’s beautiful, and much appreciated. What a lovely surprise that was today when I went to my mailbox🙂”

To all our generous knitters and crocheters: your hands are helping to heal hearts. 💖

Want to get involved? Learn more or donate your creations at nied.ca/hand-knit-hope

#NationalKnitInPublicDay #HandKnitHope #MentalHealthMatters #EatingDisorderAwareness #CraftingForACause #HopeInEveryStitch #FaithAndMentalHealth #NIED #CommunityCare

⸻

💙 Men’s Mental Health Month 💙

When Dave Gervais walked out of McMaster Children’s Hospital’s ICU, he wasn’t just a principal — he was a father facing every parent’s nightmare. His 17-year-old daughter was in critical care, her body failing from anorexia nervosa. The experience shattered him — and it changed him.

“Too often, we think mental health conversations aren’t for men, or that we have to be the strong, silent ones. But that silence is deadly.”

In honor of Men’s Mental Health Month, we’re sharing Dave’s powerful story — not just of pain, but of purpose. As a father and educator, he’s using his lived experience to change how schools talk about food, body image, and mental health.

His message to fellow dads, teachers, and male allies? Speak up. Ask questions. Share the burden. Your voice matters.

👉 Read it at the link in our story/blogs highlight!

#MensMentalHealthMonth #MensMentalHealthAwareness #EatingDisorderAwareness #FathersAndMentalHealth #OCDTherapist #FaithAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #NIED #EndTheStigma #ParentingThroughMentalIllness #EducatorsForMentalHealth

"Living with an eating disorder takes extraordinary fortitude. And when that energy can be circumvented in a different way, incredible things happen." - Anna Sweeney

❤️‍🩹 “Through a simple call or text, caregivers can connect with someone who truly understands the fear, confusion, and heartbreak of watching a loved one suffer. This is a quiet lifeline. One that offers calm, informed, and deeply empathetic guidance when everything feels like it’s falling apart.”

Learn all about NIED’s lifeline for caregivers - our Initial Point of Contact Program in the new blog post by Olivia Pillai Quinney. See the link in our story/blogs highlight!

🧠💜 Action Anxiety Day | June 10

Anxiety and eating disorders often go hand in hand—and it’s time we talked about it.

🔍 Did you know?
➡️ Studies show that up to 65% of individuals with eating disorders also live with an anxiety disorder, often before the onset of the eating disorder.
➡️ Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety, and OCD are especially common among those with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
➡️ People with eating disorders and co-occurring anxiety disorders often experience more severe symptoms and longer recovery timelines without early, integrated treatment.

Anxiety is not just “worry”—and eating disorders are not just about food. They are complex mental health conditions that deserve understanding, compassion, and proper support.

💬 This #ActionAnxietyDay, we’re calling for:
✅ Increased education on the link between anxiety and eating disorders
✅ Early screening in schools, doctor’s offices, and community settings
✅ Accessible, integrated treatment that addresses both

Together, we can turn awareness into action.

🫶 You are not alone. Help us break the stigma and bring real support to those who need it most.

#ActionAnxietyDay #NIEDCanada #EatingDisordersAwareness #AnxietyAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #EndTheStigma #IntegratedCare #YouAreNotAlone

Myth vs. Fact: Eating Disorders & Appearance

Myth: You can tell whether or not someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.

Fact: Eating disorders affect people of all shapes, sizes, and weights. You cannot diagnose or dismiss someone based on appearance.

🌸 We’re always looking at our phones, so why not have a recovery-positive reminder on the screen?

Enjoy these wallpapers from your friends at NIED! 💖

Tomorrow (June 5th), our Board Chair and our Executive Director will be participating in this Recovery Session with our friends at Body Brave! 💛

There's still time to register at the link in our story/our "coming up" highlight!

✔️ MYTH VS. FACT

Myth: Social media doesn’t really impact body image or eating disorders.

Fact: Exposure to unrealistic body standards online is a proven risk factor for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, especially among youth.

#SocialMediaAwareness #ProtectYourFeed

#WorldEatingDisordersActionDay 💜

Eating disorders are not a choice. They are complex mental health illnesses that affect millions of people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and they often go unnoticed or untreated.

The National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED) is working hard to change that by advocating for better access to care, raising awareness, and providing resources for individuals and families affected by eating disorders. But we can’t do it alone.

Why donate or volunteer?
Because your support can help:

💠 Someone get the treatment they desperately need
💠 A parent find hope and direction as they support their child
💠 Break the stigma surrounding eating disorders in our communities
💠 Push for policy changes that improve mental health services
💠 Save lives

Whether you give financially or offer your time, you become part of a movement that brings real hope and healing.

👉 Visit NIED.ca/donate to donate, or NIED.ca/volunteer to volunteer today.

Let’s be the reason someone knows they’re not alone.

#WorldEatingDisordersActionDay #NIED #EndEatingDisorders #MentalHealthAwareness #SupportRecovery #YouAreNotAlone

This morning, NIED participated in a breakfast with Ontario’s MPPs for #WorldEatingDisordersActionDay. The more we collaborate and advocate, the stronger we’ll be in the fight for better access to eating disorder care. There’s no time to wait, so #LetsNotWaitToCare 💛

💜June 2nd is World Eating Disorders Action Day, #BreaktheBias & #SupportFamilies is this year’s theme. ⁣
⁣
Too many people still face silence, stigma, and misdiagnosis when it comes to eating disorders. Why? Because bias still distorts who gets seen, who gets heard, and who gets help. ⁣
⁣
💬 And while families are often the first to notice something is wrong, they’re too frequently blamed, excluded, or unsupported in the recovery process.⁣
⁣
This year, we’re inviting you to get involved and help us advocate for change on #WorldEatingDisordersActionDay. ⁣
⁣
Read our blog by Agnes Kopij to learn more about World Eating Disorders Action Day, including nine truths about eating disorders, and what you can do to show your support. 💜⁣
⁣
🔗 Link in our story/“blog” highlight!

There’s still time to register for tomorrow’s webinar on emotional coaching! What better way to celebrate World Eating Disorders Action Day?⁣
⁣
Join Sue Huff for this amazing free webinar 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, June 2nd from 6:30 - 8:00 pm EST!⁣
⁣
🔗 Register at the link in our story/“coming up” highlight!

💫 Fact Friday

There is hope for those struggling with eating disorders and their caregivers. Visit NIED.ca for information and resources.

Caregiving is an act of love, but it can also take a serious toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health.

If you’re feeling drained, overwhelmed, or alone, you’re not the only one. Burnout is real, and it’s okay to need support.

Swipe through for simple, meaningful tips to help you care for yourself, too. Because you matter, and your well-being does, too. ❤️

💬 Not sure how to help or how to ask for help?

If you think you or someone you care about might have an eating disorder, it’s okay to feel scared, unsure, or overwhelmed.

You don’t need to have all the answers, just a place to start. Check out these tips by NIED's Agnes Kopij. ❤️

You’re not alone, and you deserve support.

"I would like to bring your attention to the unknown, unrecognized, invisible population of eating disorder caregivers. WHY – are we not important enough? Other illnesses always take precedence. Through my own lived experience and now representing thousands of other Canadian caregivers – it is clear that we are actually ‘non-existent’ …yet millions of us world-wide are in this daily battle."

Read the powerful blog post by NIED's co-founder Wendy Preskow on World Eating Disorders Action Day's website (link in our "blogs" highlight!)

✔️ MYTH VS. FACT

Myth: You can tell whether or not someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.

Fact: Eating disorders affect people of all shapes, sizes, and weights. You cannot diagnose or dismiss someone based on appearance.

Social media & body image: what you need to know

📉 Up to 70% of adolescents feel worse about their bodies after scrolling
📱 “Perfect” posts = unrealistic standards that we end up thinking are normal
💔 Social media can contribute to eating disorders & low self-esteem

Let’s build a healthier feed:
✅ Follow body-positive/body-neutral & diverse creators
❌ Unfollow accounts that promote unrealistic ideals
🧠 Take breaks from scrolling
💗 Remind yourself consistently that your worth has nothing to do with social media

#BodyPositivity #EDAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #SocialMediaWellness

🧠 Today is #WorldSchizophreniaAndPsychosisDay

This day is about raising awareness, reducing stigma, and standing in solidarity with those living with schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses.

Schizophrenia affects over 300,000 Canadians, yet it remains deeply misunderstood.

We need more open conversations, early support, and compassionate care.

👉 Research also shows that psychosis symptoms can overlap with eating disorders, a reminder of how complex and connected mental health conditions can be.

Swipe to learn more!

Caring for someone with an eating disorder? The environment you create can help you promote recovery and make the person you're caring for feel safe, empowered and heard 💬💗

This week’s blog by Agnes Kopij unpacks what a recovery-positive environment looks like, from fostering open communication to respecting autonomy and building a brave container for healing. It also covers the need to stay educated, how to build a support system, and the importance of making time to take care of yourself. Resources are included!

If you're a caregiver, partner, or friend walking this road with someone, this one’s for you. 🌱

🔗 Check it out at nied.ca/blog (or the link in our "blogs" highlight!)

💫 Fact Friday

Only about 10% of people suffering from an eating disorder ever receive proper treatment.

There is hope for those struggling with eating disorders and their caregivers. Visit NIED.ca for information and resources.

💜 Make Hope Possible. Fuel Change. 💜

Every day, individuals and families across Canada are impacted by eating disorders — but far too many are left without the support they need.

NIED is leading the charge for better education, access to care, and national advocacy. With your help, we can continue to:

🌟 Amplify lived experiences
🌟 Support caregivers and communities
🌟 Push for critical changes in Canada’s healthcare system

Your donation isn’t just a gift — it’s a lifeline. Help NIED continue their mission to ensure no one faces an eating disorder alone.

👉 Donate today at nied.ca/donate

#NIEDCanada #SupportEDRecovery #FundHope #EatingDisordersAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

🧘‍♀️ World Meditation Day 🧘‍♂️

Today we’re taking a moment to breathe, and to recognize the healing power of mindfulness.

For those affected by eating disorders, meditation can be a gentle but powerful tool. It helps:

✨ Calm the nervous system
✨ Increase body awareness without judgment
✨ Interrupt harmful thought patterns
✨ Build a kinder, more present relationship with food and self

Meditation isn’t a cure, but it can be a meaningful part of the recovery journey — offering moments of peace in the midst of struggle. 💛

#WorldMeditationDay #EatingDisorderRecovery #MindfulnessMatters #HealingJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #NIEDCanada

✨ Coming up at NIED ✨

You can register for all upcoming events and groups at NIED.ca/events!

Webinar: Emotional Coaching
June 2, 6:30 pm EST

A webinar aimed at caregivers to support them in (1) learning an effective way to respond to a loved one’s emotion distress or self-isolation, (2) helping a loved one process their emotions rather than trying to avoid, bury or blunt them, and (3) repairing connection and communication that has been frayed by the eating disorder.

Male Caregiver Support Group
June 18, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. EST

Our goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can share experiences, gain insights, and find the strength to continue your vital role. These bi-monthly sessions are being facilitated by Dr. Blake Woodside and we will also have additional sessions with guest speakers.

Sibling Support Group
June 9, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. EST

This support group is intended to create a safe, supportive space where you can share experiences and learn from experienced facilitators and other siblings - to know you are not alone in the journey. These sessions will be held monthly.

Support Group for Caregivers of Adults with Eating Disorders
June 17, 12:00 - 1:30 pm EST

This support group is intended to create a safe, supportive space where you can share experiences and learn about options and coping strategies - and where you can feel heard and seen. These sessions will be held monthly.

Today is Borderline Personality Disorder awareness day.

Did you know that there’s a strong link between Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and eating disorders?

Up to 53% of people with BPD also struggle with an eating disorder, with both conditions showing strong links to trauma and emotional dysregulation. Understanding the overlap can lead to better, more compassionate treatment. ❤️‍🩹

Here are 10 quick facts about BPD:

1. Emotional Dysregulation is Central: BPD is primarily a disorder of intense, rapidly shifting emotions that feel overwhelming and hard to manage.

2. Fear of Abandonment: One of the core features is an intense fear of real or perceived abandonment, which can lead to frantic efforts to avoid it.

3. Unstable Relationships: People with BPD often have relationships that swing between idealization (“you’re perfect”) and devaluation (“you’re terrible”).

4. Unclear or Shifting Self-Image: Individuals may struggle with a changing sense of identity — feeling like they don’t know who they are or what they want.

5. Impulsive Behaviours: Individuals with BPD may act impulsively as a way to cope with emotional pain.

6. Self-Harm and Suicidality: Many people with BPD engage in self-harm or have suicidal thoughts/behaviours, often as a response to emotional distress.

7. It’s Not Attention-Seeking: Self-harming behaviours or emotional outbursts are not manipulative — they are expressions of pain and dysregulation.

8. BPD Often Stems From Trauma: Many people with BPD have histories of childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect — though not always.

9. It’s Treatable: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and other treatments can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life.

10. People with BPD are Highly Empathetic and Deeply Feeling: Many individuals with BPD are passionate, intuitive, and capable of deep connections when supported.

What would you add to this list? ❤️

🌸 Honouring the Heart of Healing: Caregivers of Those with Eating Disorders 🌸

In Canada, between 600,000 and 990,000 people meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. Behind each journey to recovery stands a caregiver—be it a parent, sibling, partner, or friend—offering unwavering support, love, and resilience.

💐 To all caregivers:

Your dedication does not go unnoticed. Your strength fuels hope and healing. Remember to prioritize your well-being and seek support when needed.

Resources for Support:

🤝 NIED’s Initial Point of Contact Program for caregivers (visit NIED.ca)
📞 NEDIC Helpline: 1-866-NEDIC-20
📘 NIED's Caregiver Resource Guide (visit NIED.ca)

#CaregiverAppreciation #EatingDisorderSupport #MentalHealthMatters #ThankYouCaregivers

💛 On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and acknowledge the intersecting challenges they face, especially around mental health, body image, and access to care.

Queer individuals are disproportionately impacted by eating disorders, often navigating added layers of discrimination, stigma, and erasure within healthcare systems. Recovery should never be one-size-fits-all.

At NIED, we’re committed to advocating for inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed care that recognizes and respects all identities. Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported in their healing journey—today and every day.

💫 Fact Friday

It is estimated that more than 1.7 million Canadians suffer from an eating disorder at any given time (Galmiche et al., 2019).

There is hope for those struggling with eating disorders and their caregivers. Visit NIED.ca for information and resources.

💛 Eating Disorders and Self-Compassion 💛

"Eating disorders often cause one to experience a lot of negative feelings toward oneself. Individuals may feel shame or guilt, and they may have harsh internal judgments that fuel the cycle of diminishing one's sense of self-worth. Research has shown that self-compassion, which refers to being able to recognize that we are suffering and trying to alleviate these feelings through practices such as being kind to ourselves, is associated with greater well-being. "

Read the full article by Alexandra DiVincenzo at the nied.ca/blog (or the link in our blog highlight!)

💖 Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality: What’s the Difference? 💖

Body positivity encourages celebrating all bodies—embracing beauty at every size, shape, and ability. It’s a movement that challenges societal norms and uplifts marginalized bodies.

Body neutrality, on the other hand, shifts the focus away from appearance altogether. It’s about respecting your body for what it does, not how it looks. You don’t have to love your body every day—but you can still treat it with kindness.

Both perspectives are valid. What matters most is finding the mindset that supports your mental health and healing journey.

#BodyPositivity #BodyNeutrality #NIED #EatingDisorderAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

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Latest Blog Posts

Eating Disorder Treatment in Canada: A Privilege, Not a Promise

Summer, Self-Esteem, and Eating Disorders: Breaking Free from Body Image Pressures

Men's Mental Health Month: A Father’s Perspective from the Frontlines of Education and Eating Disorders

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