For school professionals and youth leaders
More and more professionals who deal with youth are discovering the tale-telling signs of eating disorders. No profession that deals with youth has been spared this frightening confrontation of discovery. How do you know if your suspicions are right? How do you approach someone whom you suspect is suffering from an eating disorder? And what do you do when someone in your organizations comes to you with this disturbing information?
You must have educational materials on hand to assist you in dealing with this initial awareness. Eating disorders are affecting children as young as 5 and 6, with physical complications that can be life-threatening. Lifelines Foundation is a resource for materials and resources for referrals for treatment.
If a child should come to you with a concern — whether for themselves or for someone they care about — please don't dismiss them because you are not familiar with this disease. This disease is not a choice behavior; it is a deadly disease that will and can escalate quickly, without intervention early on.
If you should need support when you discuss this concern with a parent or grandparents, Lifelines has foundation members who are familiar with this process and can lend support to this intervention.
Lifelines also provides referral lists of therapists and dieticians who specialize in eating disorders. Please call our toll free number at 1-866-420-3984 for information, support or intervention support.
