I am an eating disorder sufferer myself and was in hospital a year ago. I believe it is absolutely crucial that those suffering get as much support that they possibly can. Effective treatment and support is not always readily available, making it even more crucial that groups and organisations like SRSH get as much funding as they can in order that they will be able to provide effective and regular help for those in desperate need. 

Eating disorders are responsible for more loss of life than any other psychological illness. Students face a lots of stress, which can often cause illnesses such as anxiety and depression, which are both related to eating disorders. More and more young people are developing issues surrounding body image, food, lack of confidence and low self esteem.

Supportive groups such as SRSH are able to provide valuable support for young people, allowing them to meet other like minded people in a similar situation. SRSH also provides students with the chance to take time out from the demand of their degrees and enables them to gain valuable comfort from other understanding people, in a confidential environment. 

Anorexia can be a very isolating illness, leaving the sufferer feeling lonely and vulnerable. The group provides the sufferer with much needed interaction from other similar minded people. Some fellow group members will be in recovery, providing those still in the depths of despair some hope and encouragement, which is so important for their healing process.

Best wishes

MB 

I just want to give some positive feedback to say I find your groups really useful to help me stay on track to recovery and I really hope this helps you get more funding as you're doing a great job and the support is really useful. It's a great service to offer and I've definitely benefited from it. (Can I stay anonymous please though)

Thanks, Anonymous

 

I think it's important to have these groups running, because we might be the only support sufferers can get at university and eating disorders can do so much damage to how a sufferer feels about themselves and their bodies, their health and their future. They are often so lonely and feel so trapped and isolated and we need to try to help them recover and regain their self - confidence and belief that their life can be worth living. Especially in a world where media is constantly telling them they are not slim or beautiful enough, we need to help them realise that is not true. University is a particularly hard time to suffer an eating disorder, because of the lack of stability and familiarity that family provide, yet it is also especially common, so SRSH is vital to helping sufferers rebuild their lives. 

Carol

I thought I drop you a line to reiterate my support for the groups that you run, which have now managed to get settled within the Universities. As you know I had bulimia during my teens and my early twenties to the point that it made really bad impact in my health which was a wakeup call for me to seek and accept help. My bulimia which started when I was 15 or so was at its worst when I started University, that first year was very difficult and the way in which I cope with pressure I experienced was my eating disorder. As you can imagine after more than 10 years of abusing my body in this way I got very sick, unfortunately at the time there was no group or support as the one that you offer at the moment to Students, I relied on my friends and my GP  to help which was sometimes embarrassing but as also quite disjointed.

Your support is key to help those youngsters who really are at most risk of suffering this horrible illness. Please keep on the good work and keep me update on any developments.

All the best 

Placi O'Neill-Espejo