From Monday 23rd February to 1st March 2026, Eating Disorders Awareness Week highlights the theme of ‘Community’
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that disrupt a person’s relationship with food, body image and overall wellbeing. They are not a choice or a phase but complex conditions influenced by psychological, biological and social factors.
Did you know that about 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder in one form or another? That’s roughly 2% of the entire UK population.
In Scotland, there is a growing impact of eating disorders, with over 1 in 4 people between 16-24 reporting two or more symptoms. Alongside this, there has been a consistent rise in hospital admissions for both children and adults due to eating disorders. Research shows that the suicide rate among those with eating disorders is 23 times higher than that of the general population. This underscores that eating disorders are not just about food or body image. They are serious mental health issues that require understanding and support.
support
Beat is a leading charity for eating disorder support. Contact their helpline on 0808 801 0432 (Monday – Friday, 3pm – 8pm), use their webchat or send an email.
Organisations like SupportED or NEEDS offer various forms of support, including peer support groups, befriending and support for carers of people diagnosed with eating disorders.
Our support page lists other places you can contact if you need urgent help.
contact
Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.
We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well supporting with debt, grants and benefits.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.
For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.
For more information and support, please visit: ChangeMH