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The Manitoba government has declared Eating Disorders Awareness Week and announced $500,000 in funding for a new community-based eating disorders program for children and youth. The Women’s Health Clinic will develop the program.
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The initiative will focus on early intervention and treatment, aiming to provide timely support to young people dealing with disordered eating. It will operate from a harm-reduction and weight-neutral perspective, recognizing that body size does not determine health. The program will also work to improve access to care for underserved communities, including Indigenous and racialized youth.
Participants will have access to resources, education, and direct counselling or support services. The program will take a multidisciplinary approach, involving social workers, dietitians, nurse practitioners, health educators, knowledge keepers or elders, and peer support workers. It will also train service providers to enhance the capacity of the broader mental health-care system.
This announcement coincides with Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which occurs annually during the first week of February. The campaign highlights the importance of understanding eating disorders and ensuring people have access to treatment.
The Manitoba government also provides $901,000 annually to the Women’s Health Clinic for the Provincial Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery Program, which focuses on treatment for adults. The new funding is intended to expand support for younger individuals in need of care.
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