People with eating disorders are being offered specialist help and support with the launch of new courses in York – as part of ongoing work to improve the city’s mental health services.
Commissioned by the Connecting Our City community mental health project, as part of the North Yorkshire and York Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, the sessions will be delivered by Beat, the UK’s eating disorder specialist charity.
The new courses are aimed at adults and carers of anyone aged eight years and over with an eating disorder and will include one-to-one help and peer support.
David Kerr, Community Mental Health Transformation and Programme Delivery Lead at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Beat, as together we can make sure that people get the fast and efficient access to support they need and deserve.
“Early intervention is absolutely key to making sure people receive the help they need to maximise their chances of a good recovery.”
The project will include programmes for people currently not eligible for specialist support, those on a support waiting list and people aged 18-25 who may benefit from peer support.
A combination of conversations with Beat specialist advisors, as well as peer support and guided self-help, will be available to those who attend the new courses.
Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said: “Eating disorders can be devastating for the person and their families.
“We are offering a timely and effective programme with a range of early intervention and quality treatments, all of which contribute towards making a full recovery.
“These programmes are being offered alongside the wider work of Connecting Our City, to transform community-based mental health services across the city for residents.”
Caroline Price, Beat’s Director of Services, added: “We know that the sooner someone gets the help they need, the better their chances of making a full recovery.
“Eating disorders can affect a whole support network, not just the person who is unwell, so we also offer specialist support for carers, who often do not receive or request help for themselves.”
- For more information or to book onto these courses, please call Beat’s helpline on telephone: 0808 801 0677.
