Create an ‘Eating Disorder Treatment/Support Passport’ (Workshop)

Join this workshop with EDQ lived experience team members Lisa and Amira to co-create a template for an ‘Eating Disorder Treatment/Support Passport’.

Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week (BIEDAW) is a national week of significance that shines a light on eating disorders. This year Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) wants to amplify the voice of those seeking treatment and support for their eating disorder(s). Eating disorders are complex and severe neuropsychiatric disorders. Treatment is essential to reducing the severity, duration and impact of illness, and a multidisciplinary treating team ideally provides this treatment. With the appropriate support, full recovery from eating disorders is possible.

Stigma and shame are the most frequently identified barriers to accessing treatment. Eating disorders can be misunderstood and stigmatised and, as such, can be accompanied by a sense of shame. For someone experiencing an eating disorder, being open and honest about what is going on can be extremely difficult. Speaking with each new member of the treating team can be difficult and exhausting.

EDQ would like to work with consumers on a co-designed resource that can be used when accessing treatment. Clients and carers can use this self-directed resource to advocate for themselves and encourage their treating team to #HearMyVoice. Join EDQ staff on Tuesday, 13th September, from 5.30 pm, for an online workshop where we aim to co-create a template for an ‘Eating Disorder Treatment/Support Passport’. This passport will highlight the language and approaches the individual finds helpful when seeing practitioners for eating disorder-related treatment. Following this workshop and feedback from consumers and carers, a co-designed ‘template passport’ will be made available for individual use. EDQ will also look at partnering with crucial health care providers to embed the use of such a ‘passport’ in health systems.

This event is part of BIEDAW 2022. Each participant will finish the session with a personalised Eating Disorder Treatment/Support Passport, that they can take to sessions with new practitioners.

Any and all art/craft supplies are suitable for those who with to join the workshop. For participants in Brisbane, EDQ can arrange for pickup of a small art kit, to assist with creating their passport.