Sault Area Hospital offers services for eating disorders

It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week and the Canadian Institute of Health Research is drawing attention to a surge in eating disorders and hospitalizations since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Institute says hospital admissions for anorexia across Canada nearly tripled since the onset of the pandemic.

Marsha Sheedy, a therapist with Sault Area Hospital’s eating disorders program, said the problem is especially concerning among young patients, who can develop a host of health complications such as growth and development challenges, osteoporosis and even heart trouble.

However, many people who suffer from such disorders are often reluctant to seek help.

“Eating disorders themselves are maintained by secrecy,” she said.

“Across the spectrum of mental health diagnoses, there still tends to be significant mental health stigma and eating disorders tend to grow and flourish on that secrecy.”

Services offered at Sault Area Hospital include medical monitoring and nutritional counselling for those with eating disorders. It also offers referrals to other mental health programs as required.

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