Program Spotlight: Initial Point of Contact

Not Every Emergency Is a 911 Call—But It Still Deserves a Lifeline

When someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, it may not feel like an emergency in the traditional sense—but it is a crisis. It can be just as urgent, just as terrifying, and just as disorienting. And yet, there’s no flashing light or siren to guide you. That’s where NIED’s Initial Point of Contact comes in.

It’s not 911—but it might be the emotional emergency line you didn’t know you needed.

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.

This isn’t about replacing emergency services—it’s about meeting caregivers in a different kind of crisis: the slow, invisible emergency of a loved one battling an eating disorder.

If you’re supporting someone with an eating disorder, you already know how overwhelming and isolating it can feel. The endless questions with no clear answers. In those moments, what caregivers need most is someone who gets it—someone who listens with empathy, not judgment, and who can gently guide you toward the next step.

That’s exactly what NIED’s Initial Point of Contact is here for.

You’ll get:

• Compassionate support from someone who truly understands

• Helpful resources and educational tools to help you make sense of what’s happening

• High-level guidance on how to find professional help and where to begin

This service is free, confidential, and available when you need it most.

💬 Reach out today:

📞 Call or text Wendy Preskow at 416-859-7571

📧 Or email wendy@nied.ca

Wendy does her very best to respond as soon as possible—always within 24 hours.

You are not alone, and support is just one message away.