Eating disorder charity expands services as demand more than doubles during pandemic

Eating disorder charity Beat has expanded its services in Scotland after demand more than doubled during the last six months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Beat has increased helpline opening hours.

Beat saw a 162 per cent increase in demand for its helpline services in Scotland between April and October, compared to the same period in 2019.

The charity warned that lockdown has been particularly difficult for those with eating disorders, due to lack of access to support networks, changes to treatment plans and loss of routing.

Demand for support is expected to remain high over the coming weeks as several parts of the country remain in level four restrictions.

In response to increased demand, Beat has increased its activity in Scotland, including a Christmas campaign.

Helpline hours have also been increased, and a Covid-19 support group, The Sanctuary, has been set up.

The charity also runs weekly support groups for those with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, as well as those supporting someone with an eating disorder.

Coping with Christmas is a zoom-based course offered for free by the charity to support people who have been caring for someone with anorexia, bulimia or binge eating for less than five years.

The training aims to help carers develop the skills to support someone with an eating disorder over the Christmas period, and help them feel less overwhelmed and more in control.

Alongside the training, carers will also hear from other families affected by eating disorders who have been in similar situations.

Beat’s National Officer for Scotland, Emma Broadhurst, said: “It’s not surprising to see such a large increase in people reaching out for help, especially now with extra worries about restrictions over Christmas.

“Recovery from an eating disorder can be challenging enough without the added pressures of a pandemic, but we know it is still absolutely possible and will be here to support anyone wanting extra help for however long they need us.”

A study from Northumbria University released in August found that almost nine out of ten of people with eating disorders who took part in a survey said their symptoms had become worse as a result of the pandemic.

Help with an eating disorder is available at www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk, as well as information about how to sign up for the Coping with Christmas workshops.

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