What is it?
- Eating disorder charity offering support, guidance & advice.
- Helpline available Mon-Fri, 3-8pm for individuals & families.
- Campaigns for increased knowledge & funding for treatment.
Here's more detail
Description
Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity.
Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, their mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.
Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from these illnesses, many in secret.
They are of all ages, genders and backgrounds – eating disorders do not discriminate.
- What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders include bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and anorexia, which tragically has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, though all eating disorders can be deadly.
While this is the worst-case scenario, there are many ways in which eating disorders severely affect the quality of life of both those suffering and those who care about them. They steal childhoods, devastate relationships and pull families apart. But, with the right treatment and support, recovery is possible.
- Service description
Our national Helpline exists to encourage and empower people to get help quickly, because we know the sooner someone starts treatment, the greater their chance of recovery.
The helpline number in England is 0808 801 0677. You can also talk to someone via the online web chat.
People can contact us online or by phone Mondays-Fridays, 3pm-8pm. We listen to them, help them to understand the illness, and support them to take positive steps towards recovery.
We also support family and friends, equipping them with essential skills and advice, so they can help their loved ones recover whilst also looking after their own mental health.
And we campaign to increase knowledge among healthcare and other relevant professionals, and for better funding for high-quality treatment, so that when people are brave enough to take vital steps towards recovery, the right help is available to them.
The work we do means that every year lives are saved, families are kept together, and people are able to live free of eating disorders.
- How can I access this service?
Visit the Beat website to find out more information.
Find out more about Beat’s national helplines and email support you can access right now. Or you can access Beat’s one-to-one web chat.
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