Let’s talk eating disorder myths
Audience: Years 10 – 12 (16– 18 year olds)
Session Length: 1hr
Format: Virtual and Face-to-Face
Group Size: 200 maximum
This presentation explores the many myths that exist about eating disorders, which both confuse the issue and act as a barrier to accessing help and support. It aims to strengthen young people’s mental health literacy with specific reference to eating disorders and to reduce the stigma associated with these illnesses. Incorporating specific lived experience examples, the session is delivered by trained facilitators working to Butterfly’s ‘do no harm’ policy.
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Key themes
In this session, young people will explore:
- The differences between mental health problems and mental illnesses.
- The spectrum of body and eating attitudes and behaviours, from healthy to disordered.
- Common myths around the prevalence, causes and presentations of eating disorders.
- Warning signs for when thinking and behaviours are becoming problematic.
- The importance of help seeking and early intervention both for one self and others.
- How to support a friend struggling with body image issues or an eating disorder.
Risk factors addresses
- Low self-esteem
- Body dissatisfaction
- Internalisation of appearance ideals
- Restrictive dieting
Protective factors supported
- Emotional well-being
- Peer or social support structures
- Problem solving and coping skills
