June 2024 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE...

Nicki Wilson recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List

EDANZ AGM

Understanding the stages of change in the eating disorder journey

• Participants wanted: Mental Health professionals working with eating disorders
• New research on experiences of Māori with eating disorders
• THANK You from the EDANZ research team

Welcome to the June EDANZ newsletter. We hope you have been keeping warm, dry, and safe in the wintery weather we’ve been having.

We are breaking tradition this month as we don’t have a theme. There is just too much to tell you, starting with some incredibly exciting news just come in: EDANZ's Nicki Wilson has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List! 

It's time again for our Annual General Meeting on 20 June 2024. All are welcome – find details below. We have also included a useful resource for understanding the stages of change in eating disorder treatment.

In our 'Research Corner', you will find an exciting new research opportunity for clinicians and an important study just published on Māori experiences of eating disorders. 

We finish with a thank you from our EDANZ research team – it’s not too late to be involved in the EDANZ co-development project! More information below. 

Finally, we wish to say: Mānawatia a Matariki! 
Sending you all well wishes this Matariki!

Wiebke

This year’s King’s Birthday was extra special for EDANZ. Our very own Nicki Wilson has been appointed as a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to mental health advocacy, particularly disordered eating.

Nicki has been a member of the EDANZ team for over 15 years, including leading the organisation as Board Chair for many of those years. She continues to be an incredible advocate for families affected by eating disorders in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Nicki’s passion and energy are contagious, and her commitment is inspiring. This recognition is incredibly well deserved.

We cannot thank Nicki enough for her service to families and whānau affected by eating disorders. 

Ngā mihi nui Nicki

Thursday, 20 June at 7.00pm, via Zoom

Everyone is welcome to attend. While the AGM will be held virtually, please RSVP to attend. A Zoom link, agenda and papers will be sent to you when you RSVP. 

We will be electing our Board for the next 12 months, as well as sharing highlights of 2023/24 and looking ahead to the coming year.

RSVP to EDANZ AGM

Understanding the stages of change of the eating disorder journey

Supporting a loved one through an eating disorder treatment journey is anything but straightforward. There are many ups and downs, and it often feels like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. The “stages of change” model is one way to think about the healing journey that recognises this.

This resource, provided by BEAT UK, may be useful for those of us at various stages of this journey. Importantly, it highlights that healing is always possible and everyone’s journey looks different.

“The cycle can also be helpful when thinking about where you are in terms of your own views about change. Often carers report being in ‘action’ stage from the beginning of treatment, while their loved one is at the ‘pre-contemplation’ stage. This can cause conflict, so it is important to try to be compassionate in understanding where your loved one is at.”

Read Article

Participants wanted: Mental health professionals working with eating disorders

This study is seeking mental health professionals to participate in a one-hour interview about professional experience in Aotearoa.

For more information, contact Bronte Blacklock at pnv9605@autuni.ac.nz

New research on experiences of Māori with eating disorders

This new qualitative study explores explanatory factors, treatment experiences and what helps in recovery for Māori. Three overarching themes were antecedents (cumulative exposure), treatment (a system of complexities) and recovery (resource empowerment).

Research like this is critical to shifting misperceptions about eating disorders, and for addressing the inequity in service provision in Aotearoa.

“The diversity of birdcalls reminds us of the individuality of eating disorders. Health practitioners are reminded that just as the Tūī, Kākā and Kererū possess their own unique birdcalls, so do Māori with eating disorders and their whānau have their own experiences, needs and required treatment responses.”

Read Abstract

THANK YOU from the EDANZ research team

We wanted to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the EDANZ co-development survey over the last few months. We were completely blown away by the huge response. Our collective voice will help shape the future of eating disorder research in Aotearoa.

The next steps in the project will be to process the insights from the survey and run co-development hui (online and in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland). If you didn’t get a chance to register your interest in the workshops via the survey but would like to take part, please email Meg Spriggs (meg@ed.org.nz) with the following information:

• Whether you are interested in an online or in-person (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland) hui
• Confirmation that you are over 16 years of age
• Whether you have experience in one or more of the following:
• Lived experience as a carer/supporter of someone with an eating disorder
• Lived experience as an affected individual
• Working as a clinician for people with eating disorders
• Working as a researcher in the field of eating disorders.

Please note that, depending on interest, we may not be able to include everyone who expresses interest in these workshops. However, there may be opportunities for one-to-one consultation for anyone who misses out.

Ngā mihi nui!

Register Interest

Upcoming support group meetings

EDANZ believes parents/carers have unique abilities to support one another and we hold regular meetings to which you are warmly invited. Currently, we're joining together around the country once a month thanks to videoconferencing technology. 

If you would like to participate in a virtual support group, please RSVP to info@ed.org.nz and we'll send you the link.

Meetings in 2024 will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 8pm-9pm.

Upcoming meetings:

• Wednesday, 5th June, 8pm
  
• Wednesday, 3rd July, 8pm