by: tiffany crawford
british columbians with eating disorders will have more access to support and care with the help of $6.6 million in funding over three years to expand support and care, the b.c. government announced friday.
sheila malcolmson, b.c.’s mental health and addictions minister, said it’s estimated that nearly one million canadians struggle with eating disorders and many face stigma, confusion, and blame.
“eating disorders are the deadliest, yet most misunderstood mental illness,” said malcomson, during an online news conference.
“people suffering from eating disorders have told me their well-being and access to services has been disrupted by the pandemic. that is why we are expanding services in every health authority to ensure that more people get the help they need and deserve.”
malcolmson said the funding will go to increasing access to virtual peer support services and enhanced eating disorder services throughout the province. it will go to hiring more staff to expand existing eating disorder services and facilitate timely access to supports, she said.
the government will also provide an additional $530,000 over three years to the looking glass foundation for eating disorders to support increased access to virtual peer services.