Speaking in a debate on eating disorders in the House of Commons, Labour MP Mary Glindon said too little is being done to help thousands of young people affected by disorders including anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating.
She said that huge numbers of young people keep their illness secret, due to stigma, while GPs often lack specialist knowledge to diagnose disorders effectively.
She added that support services are often underfunded. “Eating distress carries the highest mortality rate of any mental illness,” Glindon said. “We need a comprehensive awareness-raising programme in schools and youth services.
“Much more is needed – more training for professionals and, above all, more money for services, and more support and acknowledgment.”
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
