Entering or returning to college life can be a highly charged emotional experience. Exploring independence, thinking about the future, fear of failure, and pressure to perform all have the ability to trigger strong emotions. When the brain and body are overwhelmed by such intense external stimuli, many experience debilitating feelings of overwhelm which can trigger latent vulnerabilities related to disordered eating among other mental and physical conditions.
This blog post is intended to guide those unsure of where they stand with disordered eating and exploring options for eating disorder treatment/recovery while navigating life in college.
1. Campus Resources
A new report by Tyton Partners found 60 percent of college students were unaware of support services offered by their college or university. These services were designed for you! To find eating disorder specific support, try a web search for “eating disorders” and the name of your institution. You might be surprised to find resources offered by your campus health center or peer mentoring groups related to disordered eating. Campus health and mental health specialists (even if not listed specifically as support for disordered eating) are also great resources.
2. National Organizations
Alliance for Eating Disorders is the largest nonprofit organization in the nation dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. They have excellent resources for seeking care including a helpline run by licensed and specialized therapists who can provide support and referrals to all levels of care from eating-disorder specialized therapists and to acute medical stabilization. Connect by calling (866) 662-1235 or completing a simple contact form on their website.
Another great resource is the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) – this is a free peer support service for anyone struggling with an eating disorder. ANAD is focused on building community and provides matching with recovery mentors, helpline, treatment directory, and ED support groups.
Mental Health Coalition is non-profit dedicated to reducing the stigma associated with mental health. They have developed a College Mental Health Toolkit with self-help guides and resources for a number of issues important to college students, including disordered eating.
3. Support Groups
The beauty of mental health or nutrition specific support groups for college students is that everyone in attendance has been where you are – needing a starting point to gain perspective on disordered eating without fear of stigma or judgement.
We recommend seeking support groups facilitated by medical, mental health, or nutrition professionals to assure conversations are clinically appropriate for those exploring recovery. Courage to Nourish Facilitated Support Groups are available to individuals and families nationwide. These groups are free of cost, confidential, and facilitated by our own registered dietitians Kathryn Karukas and Lauren Garcia!
4. Crisis Resources
You are never alone. Sometimes it can be difficult to sort out complex feelings while maintaining the responsibilities of college life. The most important thing to remember, there are folks on hotlines, warmlines and chats across the country, at the ready to help 24/7/365.
1. 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline – Call 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7. Text 988 to open a text conversation. Webchat is also available through their website.
2. Crisis Text Line – Text 741741 when in crisis and a live, trained crisis volunteer will listen and provide support, and referrals to care – all through secure text.
3. The Trevor Project– For LBGTQ+ folx in crisis, text 678678 or call 866-488-7386 to speak with trained counselors who understand the challenges LGBTQ+ young people face. Available 24/7. Webchat is also available through their website.
Don’t be intimidated or frightened by these free and confidential national resources. Your call, text, or chat is received by trained, caring individuals who are there to help and are trained to listen and connect you to local resources that fit your ongoing treatment and recovery needs.
Final Thoughts on College Eating Disorder Resources
Navigating college life with disordered eating can be challenging, but there are many resources to help. Use campus services, national organizations like the Alliance for Eating Disorders, support groups, and crisis hotlines. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and trained professionals like Courage to Nourish Dietitians are ready to support you. Utilize these resources to manage your eating disorder while thriving in college.
Contact Us
Courage to Nourish is a group of eating disorder specialized dietitians. We have in person locations in Alexandria, Virginia, Columbia, Maryland and College Park, Maryland. We offer virtual services across the state of Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. We offer individual nutrition therapy. As well as support groups. We would love to guide you in building a better relationship with food.
Contact us for more information. And to schedule a discovery call. Also, sign up for our client or clinician newsletter!
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