People affected by an eating disorder can expect higher and more consistent standards of care following the roll-out of new national guidance for services.
The publication of a national specification will support both the NHS and local services to deliver person-centred, safe and effective care. The new guidance was developed by a working group of experts with academic and clinical practice experience, alongside people affected and their families.
The blueprint aims to ensure that everyone has access to a high-quality standard of service regardless of what stage they are in their recovery and is for care across all stages of treatment, from primary care to specialist inpatient care.
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Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “We want to create a more supportive, accessible, and effective care system for everyone affected by eating disorders.
“This new guidance is another step on the way to delivering the recommendations from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services and I am grateful to all those involved in putting it together.
“The full implementation of this specification has been a long-term goal but by working alongside clinicians, patients and their families, we aim to build a brighter, healthier future for everyone affected by eating disorders in Scotland.”
Chair of the National Eating Disorder Network Professor Cathy Richards said: “I’m delighted that the national specification has now been published and want to recognise the hard work of all who have been involved in its development. It is a privilege to work with such a committed group of stakeholders.
“I want to recognise the dedication of those delivering vital care and treatment amidst real and pressing challenges.
“I look forward to working with everyone involved to develop local, regional and national improvements to ensure the new national standards are delivered consistently to benefit all those affected by eating disorders.”
Co-Chair of the National Eating Disorder Specification Working Group, Lived Experienced Peer Researcher, Ellen Maloney said: “The launch of new national guidance is important to make sure that everyone in Scotland who experiences an eating disorder can access the right help at the right time.
“I hope these standards will make a real difference for people with eating disorders, providing the care and support they need.”
Eating disorders and body image issues were the sixth most common concern brought up by children and young people in Scotland contacting Childline last year (April 2022 – March 2023), with 273 counselling sessions carried out on the issue.
Childline, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, has also revealed that 40 per cent of counselling sessions with children across the UK about these issues took place in the summer months (June to September).
There are number of factors that make the summer holiday a particularly tricky time for young people struggling with their body image or relationship with food.
For some, the prospect of wearing clothing which shows more of their body can make them feel under pressure to look a certain way, lose weight or change their appearance.
This pressure can be reinforced by content they are exposed to online that makes them feel negatively about the way they way look.
At Childline, there is always someone to talk to. Our counsellors are there to listen and offer support and advice every day of the year on 0800 11111 or at www.childline.org.uk
Childline delivered more than 4,000 counselling sessions, including 273 in Scotland, to children and young people with worries around body image and eating disorders
40% of these counselling sessions take place during the summer – June to September
Childline reminds children the service is here to support them during holidays
Childline, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, reveals new data showing that 40% of all the counselling sessions they delivered last year on eating disorders and body image took place in the summer months (June to September).
Across the whole year – April 2022 to March 2023 – Childline delivered 4,179 counselling sessions to children struggling with these issues. 273 of these were in Scotland.
1656 (40%) of those counselling sessions based on these topics took place from June to September , the lead up to and the duration of the six-week summer break.
Eating disorders and body image issues were the 6th most common concern for children contacting Childline in 2022/23 in Scotland.
During this year’s summer holiday, Childline knows that many children might be struggling to cope with these issues and wants to remind them that their trained counsellors and online services are here to support them.
Childline insight
Common themes that came out of Childline counselling sessions on body image and eating disorders include:
Comparisons to friends, siblings, and people on social media
Guilt around eating particular “bad” foods or guilt about eating at all
Negative comments from family, friends, bullies, and partners about their weight and body often contributes to body image concerns
Weight worries linked to lockdown, gaining weight due to lockdown inactivity or stress
Not knowing how to manage weight or fitness without going to extremes
Cancelling plans due to body image issues
Childline knows that there are number of factors that make the summer holiday a particularly tricky time for children and young people struggling with their body image or their relationship with food.
For some, the prospect of wearing clothing which shows their body more can make them feel under pressure to look a certain way, that they need to lose weight or change their appearance.
For others, this pressure is also reinforced as many will be spending more time online during the summer months to keep in touch with their friends and to stay entertained. As a result, we know many children may be exposed to more content online that might make them feel negatively about the way they way look.
Additionally, children who struggle with eating disorders might find a change in their day-to-day routine and eating habits over the summer period difficult to cope with.
A girl in Scotland aged 16 who reached out to Childline said*: “How is Tiktok full of so many beautiful people and I look like this? I stare out at my face in the mirror and can only see what needs fixing. My lips, my nose, my eyes, my cheeks. Even my friends agree my nose is huge. Make up doesn’t do what surgery and fillers can do.”
A boy aged 13 told the service: “I feel so guilty every time I eat. I’ve been trying to be healthy and cut down on food, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. My older siblings are all so skinny, everyone says they’re so handsome and look like models, then there’s just me. It’s been upsetting me so much lately, thank you for letting me offload how I’m feeling.”
Support
Kieran Lyons, Service Head of Childline said: “Every year our trained counsellors speak to hundreds children in the run up to and during the summer holidays who are struggling with their body image or eating disorders.
“Summer can be a really a tough time for anyone who is already dealing with these issues, and it also can be a time which can make others who ordinarily felt happy with their body image begin to feel negatively.
“Regardless of your situation or your worries, Childline is here to ensure that no child is left to cope alone with any worry they have.
“If you are struggling with your body image or an eating disorder, we want you to know that Childline is here to help, and we can support you on what you can do and how to make things feel better.”
If there is a young person in your life struggling with their body image or an eating disorder here are some tips on how best to support them:
Remind them that how they look is part of who they are and that their personality, achievements and the way they behave is important too.
Images they may see on TV, in magazines, in social media or online are often altered and airbrushed so what they are seeing isn’t always real.
Remind them that everyone is different and not to compare themselves to anyone else. Accepting themselves is all about them noticing things they are happy and unhappy about and realise that is what makes them unique.
To help build their confidence encourage them to spend time focusing on a hobby they enjoy.
Also, it may help if they write down every morning a few things they like about themselves.
All children can speak to a trained counsellor over the phone on 0800 1111, via email or on a 121 chat on the Childline website.
Children can also visit the website to find more advice on any concerns or questions they may have on body image and eating disorders and they can also use the service’s monitored message boards to get support from their peers.
The UK’s eating disorder charity Beat is partnering with NHS Lothian CAMHS to provide a peer support programme for young people experiencing eating disorders and for parents and carers of people with the illnesses, thanks to funding received from the Scottish Government of £100,000 over three years.Continue reading Eating disorder charity and NHS Lothian launch peer support for parents
