Media portrayal of body image and Eating Disorders is poor at best and often controversial. It is vital that individuals working in the field of Eating Disorders set a high standard for publicity and campaign work. SRSH publicity will always be pro-recovery. Publicity must not contain any photographs of individuals with Eating Disorders, upsetting statements or numbers including weights or calorific figures. SRSH campaigns will never use “shock tactics;” campaigns should be upbeat, pro-recovery and moderate.

There are concerns about the efficacy of Eating Disorder awareness workshops, such sessions can at time be triggering and counterproductive. Talks or events run by SRSH must ensure that they are not triggering. They should offer supportive information without glorifying Eating Disorders or the support and care provided to individuals. Public talks should avoid detailed discussion of behaviours, unless this is an informative talk directed at professional carers (including our Group Facilitators) where this information is of direct relevance. We believe that discussion of behaviours can be triggering for individuals at risk of developing an Eating Disorder and distressing for carers. It is important to recognise the psychological impact of Eating Disorders, and acknowledge that in many cases this is far more important than the behavioural aspects.

SRSH does not routinely fund publicity for University group projects. University group projects should work on developing an independent funding stream to cover their publicity costs.

• University Project Groups may apply for a grant for publicity; the upper limit on such applications is £50, though additional funding may be considered in exceptional circumstances. 
  

• Groups should have exhausted alternative avenues for funding publicity (e.g. independent fundraising, Students Union funding, funding from the City Council or local businesses) prior to applying to SRSH. 
  

• To apply for funding for publicity volunteers must complete a Publicity Application Form.