This website was originally created in 1997 by Colleen Thompson, while she was recovering from an eating disorder. She hoped to provide education and support for others with eating disorders while also educating herself and working through some of the issues that she struggled with personally.
Our Mission
Today, our mission is to build upon Colleen Thompson’s work by providing information, education, and support to the community, including people dealing with eating disorders themselves and loved ones that want to support friends or family members with eating disorders.
We want to help you get the help you need to recover. We want to support you as you’re supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. We want you to succeed and to have a happy, healthy life.
We also want to help parents, educators, and other adults that work with children and adolescents to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders, so they can provide early intervention when needed. We want parents and educators to know what they can do to help prevent eating disorders in young people, but we also want them to know that eating disorders can occur no matter what you do, and if it happens to a child you care about, we want to support you in helping that child.
We want you to know you’re not alone. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, an estimated eleven million Americans struggle with eating disorders. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, men and women, people from all walks of life.
Unfortunately, some people with eating disorders will not survive. Anorexia is considered to be the most lethal of all psychological disorders. But we want you to be one of the survivors. We want you to know help is available and recovery is possible. We want to assist you on your journey to good health.
If You Need More Information
If you aren’t finding the information you need here, please email us. We’ll try to get you the information you need or direct you to other sources of information. We can’t give you medical advice, but we’ll do all we can to assist you.
If You Think You or a Loved One Needs Help with an Eating Disorder
This website is not a substitute for professional treatment and advice. If it’s not an emergency, you can call your primary care physician or your counselor, if you are currently in counseling. If you aren’t currently in counseling but want to talk to a counselor or are interested in a treatment program, you’ll find a list of treatment centers on this website, or you can ask your primary care physician for a referral, or you can check with your health insurance company to find out which counselors and eating disorder treatment programs are covered on your plan.
If You Need Immediate Assistance
If you, or someone you love, need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Help is available and we want you to get the help you need.