A new $238,000 eating disorders program focused on prevention, intervention and healing will support Manitobans and their families struggling with these diseases, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced.
“Eating disorders have a serious and sometimes tragic impact on a person’s health, on their lives and on their families,” said Irvin-Ross. “This is why prevention and early intervention is so important. Through our partnership with the Women’s Health Clinic, this new community-based program will provide support to women, men, adolescents and their families on the road to recovery.”
The Provincial Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery Program will provide early access to assessment and treatment for youth and adults who do not need hospital care, both in Winnipeg and rural communities. It will also provide followup services to patients who have recently been released from hospital and supports for parents and families of those living with an eating disorder.
“We’re so pleased to offer this program to the Manitobans struggling with disordered eating who are preoccupied with their weight or have body image issues,” said Lisa Naylor, counsellor at the Women’s Health Clinic. “Early, community-based resources can make a real difference for people who need to rebuild a positive relationship with their bodies and food.”
Clients will be accepted beginning Oct. 1, either through self-referrals or by a health-care provider. Health-care providers, counsellors, family members and other Manitobans will also be able to call to get more information about eating disorders including how to recognize symptoms and access further resources or care.
“The new program will bring hope, healing and recovery to many Manitobans who suffer from eating disorders, along with their families,” said Elaine Stevenson, a member of the Provincial Working Group for Eating Disorders and administrator of the Alyssa Stevenson Eating Disorder Memorial Trust. “Providing these much-needed services in the community will contribute greatly to prevention and intervention for this deadly illness.”
A multi-disciplinary clinical team with expertise in eating disorders and co-occurring conditions such as depression and anxiety will deliver the program at the Women’s health Clinic. The new program will connect closely with other eating disorder programs and agencies, as well as other mental-health organizations, said the minister.
“There is no single answer to help Manitobans with an eating disorder, so it’s important for us to build a range of services and resources,” said Elvera Watson, program specialist for mental-health promotion and eating disorders at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “By working together through community and hospital-based programs, we can assist Manitobans dealing with eating disorders as they rebuild their health and wellness, as well as family members and health-care providers who give much-needed support.”
The minister noted this program builds on other recent investments in mental health including:
• planning a first-of-its-kind, mental-health crisis response centre;
• investing more than $8 million over four years to help prevent youth suicide, improve access to mental-health care and provide hope and opportunity to young people across Manitoba;
• providing $50,000 in provincial funding for Artbeat Studio to continue its support of artists living with mental-health issues; and
• developing a first-class, multi-agency centre to enhance supports for Manitobans living with addictions and mental-health challenges.
