Project HEAL

When her food rules and fears threatened her ability to continue dancing, Kayleigh Carlos accepted that she needed help. Now, her recovery journey has given her purpose and meaning: mentoring other young dancers. Read her blog at https://buff.ly/3YrHmW5

HEAL Week is just around the corner, and we want you to be ready to take action with us! This is your chance to join the conversation about eating disorders and the barriers to care that so many individuals face. Together, we’re working toward a future where everyone has the support they need to HEAL—and you can make a big difference. **Why is HEAL Week Important?** HEAL Week is more than just a campaign to raise funds for Project HEAL's programs. It’s about raising awareness, driving systemic change, and ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing eating disorder treatment. But creating this change requires all of us—from individuals to community organizations to policy makers. **What’s Coming Up?** Starting 10/20, we’re launching HEAL Week with a 3X matching challenge! Thanks to our generous sponsors, every dollar you donate will be TRIPLED, up to $65,000. That’s 3X the impact for every gift you make. **Can we meet this $65,000 challenge?** With your help, absolutely! Get involved early at tinyurl.com/healweek24 or the link in bio. **How You Can Prepare:** - Plan to Donate: Get ready to make your donation go **3X further** during HEAL Week. - Spread the Word: Let your friends, family, and community know that they, too, can join this critical movement. **Mark your calendars!** We can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together during HEAL Week. THANK YOU for being part of a community that believes in breaking down barriers and supporting those who need it most. Thank you to our matching partner, The Carolyn Costin Institute! Thank you to our sponsors Monte Nido, Eating Recovery Center, The Renfrew Center, Alsana, Hidden River Eating Disorder Treatment, and Charlie Health

In a new study by Equip, critical information was found on how eating disorders and disordered eating impact pregnancy and fertility. Did you know that 45% of people with a history of an eating disorder or disordered eating experience infertility? This conversation was discussed further in Fortune. Dori Steinberg, Equip VP of Research, shared: “This topic remains largely unspoken because of the internal conflict women face when choosing between embracing motherhood and adhering to diet culture’s influence.” Find out more about this study, its findings, and some takeaways at: https://buff.ly/3NvtDYe

Monte Nido is proud to collaborate with Project Heal for Heal Week! Monte Nido Walden’s Medical Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Nicole Christian-Brathwaite, MD, Nicole C., will be featured in "When Trauma & Eating Disorders Intersect," an informative LinkedIn livestream taking place on October 24th at 1pm EST. We hope you can tune in! Akiera Gilbert

Announcement: Project HEAL will be closing the application for treatment placement and cash assistance for the month of November. As we take this time to reassess our resources and prepare for the new year, additional resources and programs such as meal support, clinical assessment, and support groups are still available! Please apply for treatment placements or cash assistance BEFORE November 1st in order to be reviewed in the month of November and December. Timeline & Support Access: Now - October 31: Apply for any program at the link in our bio or https://lnkd.in/ggeM66k6 November 1 - 30: Apply for meal support, insurance navigation, clinical assessments, and other resources, excluding treatment placements or cash assistance. For treatment placements or cash assistance, sign-up to be notified when applications re-open on our website: https://lnkd.in/ggeM66k6 December 1: Applications for all programs will be open. Notifications for those signed up will be sent out. Treatment placements or cash assistance applications submitted December 1 - 31 will be reviewed in January 2025.

Join us in supporting Project HEAL CEO Akiera Gilbert as she speaks in a panel for HLTH USA titled “The Kids are Not Alright” this coming weekend! Nearly 1 in 6 U.S. adolescone or more mental health and addiction conditions. The number of adolescents who reported a major depressive episode increased by over 150% in the last decade alone and suicide is now the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14. Visits to the ER related to suicide among children and young adults increased fivefold over the last decade. Our younger generations have felt the lasting impacts of social isolation from the pandemic, uncertainty about the future due to global conflicts and climate change, and the addictive pull of social media, which fosters unhealthy body images and comparison culture. As highlighted in a special report from the surgeon general, adolescents in our country face a perfect storm for mental and behavioral health challenges, with little access to solutions to help them cope and thrive. Hear from those working with and advocating for youth about positive ways forward. #HLTHUSA

Do you want to know what we talk about behind closed doors, AND receive 4 CE credits? Join us for the second annual InformED Community Forum and full-day CE Training event, hosted by Project HEAL, virtually on November 15th, 2024. We’re sharing real opinions, real specifics, and real talk. Dive into the depths of what sustainable, actionable, and real healing looks like. The InformED Community Forum is back! This day of education and conversation offers a unique opportunity for providers to enhance their understanding of eating disorder treatment and its critical nuances. This Forum is designed for both generalists who see eating disorder clients and wish to refine their skills, as well as seasoned professionals seeking to delve into the most pertinent topics in their practice. With 4 continuing education credits available, this event provides a comprehensive exploration of eating disorder care through thoughtful conversations featuring leaders in the field as well as individuals with lived-experience perspectives. Attendees will gain an in-depth look at key intricacies present within the eating disorder field, ensuring you leave with valuable insights applicable to your practice. Find out more and sign up today at https://lnkd.in/ggkr6h9g THANK YOU to our sponsors Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, The Emily Program, Acadia Healthcare, SunCloud Health, and Within Health!

Innovative Treatment Spotlight: Have you heard about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)? This FDA-approved, cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain, offering new hope for those with treatment-resistant depression, OCD, and chronic pain. By promoting neuroplasticity and enhancing brain function, TMS can help patients reclaim their well-being. Sessions are brief and generally well-tolerated, making it a promising option for many. Curious to learn more? Consult specific treatment and insurance providers to inquire about coverage. Visit theprojectheal.org for resources and support on eating disorder healing.

Eating disorder advocacy can be a difficult things to do. However, there are several things you can do to get started. 1. Learn More!: Start by learning more about the diversity of eating disorders and gaps in awareness. Advocacy requires understanding what the problem is and why change is needed. 2. Share your Story: This can be difficult, especially in the beginning. However, never underestimate the importance and impact of your story. You might encourage others to share or seek support as well. 3. Join or Start a Group: Advocacy is much more powerful in groups, and it’s much easier when you have people standing with you. Organize events or have discussions with an organization, club, or friends that share your passion. 4. Focus on Legislation: Stay informed on any policies or laws affecting eating disorders and their care. Email or call legislators to express your support for policies that support eating disorder care. Follow Eating Disorders Coalition @edcoalition for federal updates, and search online for state advocacy groups. 5. Take Care of Yourself: Advocacy isn’t easy, and often it may feel like no one is listening to you. Remember that even sowing a small seed in a person can have impacts that you could never imagine. Don’t burn yourself out and practice self-care. You are important.

This World Mental Health Day, we are collectively discussing the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’. Project HEAL holds a unique place in the mental health field; we are at the frontlines of the eating disorder crisis, especially through our free Clinical Assessment Program. We see people every day who are actively struggling with eating disorders, in long-term recovery from eating disorders, and everywhere in between. We see the impact of eating disorders in the workplace, and we know it can be difficult for employers to know how to support their employees. We hope these tips provide a place to begin learning about tangible ways to prioritize eating disorder healing in the workplace. For more information about how to create an eating disorder informed workplace, check out this piece from author Virgie Tovar: https://buff.ly/47ZU5Tc 1. Know that anyone can have an eating disorder. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. Someone doesn’t have to “look sick” to be struggling with an eating disorder. 2. Avoid comments about food or bodies at work. Commenting on what a colleague is eating or their body (including body size/weight) can exacerbate eating disorder symptoms. Be careful to avoid discussing people’s bodies, encouraging weight loss through workplace competitions, or engaging in conversations about dieting. 3. Accommodate people with eating disorders when necessary. When someone is in treatment for or healing from an eating disorder, they need the support of their entire system, including their workplace. Employers should ensure appropriate accommodations are put in place for individuals and may also provide other supportive measures, like Employee Assistance Programs, for the entire staff. 4. Offer health insurance plans that adequately cover mental health care. Despite the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), there are many barriers to accessing mental health care through insurance plans. In order to best support employees struggling with eating disorders, review your insurance plans to ensure mental health care is covered alongside allowances for medical leave. 5. Have resources available. Resources are available for people struggling with eating disorders. For crisis support, text HEALING to 741741 to get connected to a volunteer Crisis Counselor — free, 24/7, confidential. For free eating disorder resources and to learn more, go to theprojectheal.org Eating disorders MUST be a part of the conversation this World Mental Health Day.