Eating disorders are mental illnesses that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ability, size, or other social categories. Every day at Veritas Collaborative, we see the toll that these widespread mental health conditions take on our patients and their families. The impact is profound. And at the same time, we see that treatment works. People get better. The possibility for others to do the same remains. For these reasons, we are pleased to support The Alliance’s Annual “Not One More” Weekend of help, support, and recovery.
At Veritas, we envision a world in which all persons with eating disorders, as well as their families and communities, have access to best-practice care and hold hope for a cure. To achieve such a world, together we need to overcome the many barriers still facing those with eating disorders.
In the world we envision, not one more person will fear that they are not “sick enough” ––or “too far gone” ––to receive help. If they hear their eating disorder tell them they are not worthy of recovery, they will recognize the lie. They will take back control from their eating disorder, refusing to believe that their only option is to give in to the voice that critiques and punishes them for meeting their body’s basic need for food.
Diet culture will cease to exist. Society’s appearance standards will fade away. People will describe food in terms other than “good” or “bad.” People will respect their bodies and feel no pressure to change them to fit some mold. They will take up as much space as they need—free of judgment from others.
A clothing tag will not impact someone’s worth, and everyone will know that clothing is meant to fit the person, not the other way around. Working out will be an activity that is about enjoyable movement, not changing one’s size or “burning off” food. The feelings experienced around food will be joyful; food will not have any control.
Not one more person will suffer silently because their friends or family do not understand the complex nature of eating disorders. A person will not hear cliché and unhelpful phrases such as “Just eat normally,” “Get over it,” or “You’re just being dramatic.” Not one more person will be told that their feelings make them weak or that they’re “too emotional.” Feeling and expressing emotions will be normal.
Medical students will receive top-notch training on how to treat these psychiatric illnesses, all while first keeping in mind the person and families affected. Education on eating disorders will be required for students in any clinical or mental health setting. Eating disorder knowledge will be generous as research continues to evolve with appropriate funding.
Not one more doctor will miss the signs or not fully comprehend the gravity of the illness due to a lack of eating disorder education. There will be no more brushing off someone’s illness as a “weight issue.” Doctors, nurses, therapists, and more will all know the signs of eating disorders and know exactly how to get their patients the correct help. Mental health will be “health,” period.
Not one more person will have to travel far to receive care. Eating disorder treatment centers will be available in every state. Patients will receive care in safe, supportive environments close to their family, friends, and support systems. They will recover where they live, work, and play.
All insurance providers will understand how vital it is to get eating disorder treatment as soon as possible. Not one more person will battle these providers to get proper care. No one will feel on their own when it comes to seeking help.
More than 28.8 million people in the United States will struggle with an eating disorder. Seventy percent of these people don’t get treatment because of stigma, access barriers, and misinformation. One person dies roughly every hour from complications due to an eating disorder. But we know that it doesn’t have to be this way. We hope for no more suffering, no more deaths. In a world where everyone receives the care they need, all people with eating disorders can pursue recovery and live a full, authentic life.
At Veritas Collaborative, we provide compassionate eating disorder treatment around best practices and evidence-based care. With a range of services for children, adolescents, and adults, we offer Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient, and Outpatient levels of care in a gender-diverse and inclusive environment. Our multidisciplinary treatment teams in North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia share a passion and a mission inspired by a collaborative community of care. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, call 1-855-875-5812 or visit veritascollaborative.com.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out to us at The Alliance. Our team is uniquely qualified to connect you with the support needed to begin your recovery journey. Visit our national, interactive database to find eating disorder treatment near you today or reach out to us for more help and resources.
To learn more about the NOT ONE MORE movement, visit https://www.notonemore.co/.