FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Health Minister Challenged to Put Money Back Into Ontario Services

CITY, February 5, 2006 – Spurred by the potential threat that they or a loved one might die, over two thousand individuals in Ontario called on Minister of Health Smitherman to stop cuts in eating disorder programs.

The online petition to the minister was the brainchild - born of urgency - of nine grassroots organizations from across the province, many founded by parents of individuals who have died from, or who still struggle with, eating disorders.

The response to this petition, - 2232 - is quite extraordinary given that eating disorders are such secretive illnesses.

Those who signed the petition along with the more than 70 000 individuals in Ontario struggling to cope with the physical and emotional ravages of an eating disorder, wait for the minister to act.

While they wait they fear that up to one in five of those suffering will die because their eating disorder is misunderstood, not taken seriously, remains undetected or untreated, or because the system fails to ensure that treatment is made available in a timely, comprehensive and accessible fashion.

The petition's message to Minister Smitherman is clear: immediate change is needed in the way eating disorder programs and supports are delivered and funded in this province.

Challenged by MPP Shelley Martel (NDP - Nickel Belt) to address the long waiting lists, deficits and closures facing eating disorder programs that were referred to in the petition, Minister Smitherman replied on 16 November 2005 that his ministry will “… seek to make those appropriate investments to enhance our capacities here in Ontario ."

With Eating Disorder Awareness Week (5 – 11 February) approaching, the nine groups who initiated the petition have moved their awareness campaign up a notch by asking individuals and their families who are affected by anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders to mail their personal stories to the Minister.

“We want to share stories of hope and recovery – aided by existing programs now under threat, and stories of despair and pain for those who are unable to get timely, appropriate help.”

“These stories are intended to highlight what ben efits there will be if more services are available and what happens when services are cut back” says one of the petition organizers, Danielle Mayeur of Danielle's Place, Eating Disorder Support and Resource Centre , Burlington

 

Backgrounder

 

Eating Disorder Petition Organisers:

 

OTTAWA :

Hopewell Contact person: Andrea Cooper Tel: 613-241-3428

Website: www.hopewell.on.ca

Email: [email protected]

 

TORONTO :

Families Against Disordered Eating (FADE)

Tel: 416-665-9722 Ext 3.

Website: www.fade-on.ca

Email: [email protected]

FED-UP

Website: http://www.geocities.com/f_e_d_u_p/

 

Sheena's Place Tel: 416- 927-8900

Website: www.sheenasplace.org

Email: [email protected]

 

Parent Rep, Community Advisory Committee Gwenn Liss

for the Toronto Region ED Programs Tel:

 

 

LONDON :

Hope's Gardens

Tel: 519- 434-7721

Website: www.hopesgarden.org

Email: [email protected]

 

Eating Disorder Foundation of Canada : Email: [email protected]

Tel: 519-858-5085

 

SAULT STE. MARIE:

Christy's Light Foundation

Tel: 705-253-9596

Email: [email protected]

 

WINDSOR :

Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA), l: 519-969-2112

Email: [email protected]

Webs

 

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, (EDAW) - February 5 th – 11 th , 2006 ,

An annual campaign that seeks to increase awareness and educate the public on the relationship between dieting, body dissatisfaction and eating disorders with a focus on their prevention.

See http://www.nedic.ca/whatsnew/events.shtml for events listings

Canadian Statistics

• Eating disorders are the third most chronic illness among female youth

• More individuals die from an eating disorder than any other mental illness

• In a recent study, 27% of Ontario girls 12-18 years old were reported to be engaged in severely

problematic food and weight behaviour.

•  90% - 95% of those with an eating disorder are female

• While the most common age of onset is between 14 and 25 years of age, eating disorders occur in a wide range of ages, and are increasingly seen in children as young as 10.

 

Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder

Physical Signs

• Loss of 15% or more of one's original body weight
• Menstrual periods become irregular or stop
• Sensitivity to cold
• Lowered blood pressure which may cause fainting, dizziness
• Thinning of hair or hair loss
• General weakness
• Pale (anemic) skin tone
• Swollen facial glands; sore throat; visible dental problems
• Scarring/red abrasions on top of hands/knuckles

Attitudes & Behaviour Changes

• Refusing to keep body weight over a minimum
• Drive for thinness leading to compulsive dieting; rigid exercise regime
• Intense fear of weight gain
• Distorted body image
• Wearing baggy or layered clothing to conceal weight loss
• Preoccupation with food and weight (e.g., counting calories, excessive dieting)
• Evidence of binge-eating, hoarding food, use of laxatives, diuretics, purgatives, emetics
• Severe self-criticism
• Extreme concern about appearance

Emotional Changes

• Depression
• Irritability
• Social withdrawal
• Increased sensitivity to criticism
• Need for perfection
• Black or white thinking ("If I am not thin, I will be obese")
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly

Source - Hopewell Eating Disorders Support Centre of Ottawa

 

Contact:

For more information/an interview on the petition, letter writing campaign or EDAW activities, please contact:

 

Joanne Curren

Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre

or visit Hopewell 's website at www.hopewell.on.ca

 

 

February 6, 2005