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March 2022 Newsletter

In this issue...

  • Message from the Chair
  • FEAST of Knowledge 2022!
  • Webinar for parents: Supporting your adolescent in Anorexia Recovery
  • 18 is not a magic number
  • Autism and anorexia
  • Upcoming support meetings

 

Message from the Chair


This month sees us all in the midst of very uncertain times with Omicron rolling through our communities, many of us affected by the virus, and every sniffle or cough treated with suspicion.  Fortunately we so far seem to be weathering the storm as a nation, albeit with supply chain and staffing issues everywhere we turn.

Later this month FEAST (Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for eating disorders) are holding a virtual conference that will be extremely worthwhile. The programme looks impressive, and FEAST have a well-established record of providing high-quality, informative and practical information for caregivers and families. They have a great depth of knowledge to share, and I think it would be time and money well spent. (Link for the virtual conference is below.)

I also wanted to highlight the work that our advocacy team continues to do on our behalf at governmental level with an excerpt from Nicki Wilson’s latest letter to the select committee.

The EDANZ support team is hearing from individuals and whanau every day who are battling serious, life-threatening eating disorders and are on waiting lists of six months or more due to overstretched/under-resourced services. Many are declined treatment for a number of reasons including :

  • No specialist eating disorder treatment provided in the region they live in
  • Not “yet sick enough” (some are being advised to let the illness become worse/life threatening so they will require hospital admission and therefore the DHB will be obligated to admit them)  
  • They have had previous treatment in CAMHS for another condition
  • They present with co-morbidities (e.g. suicidality, substance use or addiction, OCD and so on) and are told that the eating disorder service will only treat individuals with a “stand alone” diagnosis of eating disorder

These messages will resonate with many of you who have received this type of advice, and it is important for us to continue to highlight this shortfall in our medical system, in the hope that services will improve. There is always hope, and recovery is always possible, at any stage and at any age, with the right help and support. 

Tim Boyle
Chair, EDANZ








REMINDER!

FEAST of Knowledge 2022 Virtual Conference

NZ Time: 3am-9am, 28 March 2022*

FEAST of Knowledge 2022 is taking place virtually on Sunday March 27, 2022 between the hours of 10am-4pm EST.*

Remember, knowledge is power. Find out more and check out the programme at…

https://www.feast-ed.org/feast-of-knowledge-2022/

FEAST of Knowledge on demand  

*NB: Recordings of the sessions will be available to registrants for up to 6 months afterwards, if you can't attend the cutting-edge presentations live.

The videos will be accessible for registrants of FEAST of Knowledge to watch at a time to suit.






Supporting your adolescent in Anorexia Recovery

Zoom education series

Session 1: Understanding FBT and Neuroscience of Anorexia
Kellie Lavender and Dr Roger Mysliwiec

Tuesday, 22 March 10am - 11.30am + question time

Family Based Treatment (FBT) is the leading evidence-based treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Yet, there remain many myths and questions about what FBT is and what it is not and how it is done. 

Download the flyer for more details about Sessions 2 and 3

Cost: This is a sponsored even by Key to Life Charitable Trust.

Payment: Cost is free for participants. Numbers are strictly limited.

Registration: Name and email to Kellie Lavender Kelliel@nzedc.co.nz






18 is not a magic number

18 is not a magic number

By Bella Reed
From FEAST

Shutting families out from anorexia care when the patient turns 18 means that the only advocate for the person with anorexia is the person with anorexia.

https://www.feast-ed.org/18-is-not-a-magic-number/






Autism and anorexia nervosa

Autism and anorexia nervosa

By Emy Nimbley
From FEAST

Over the past decade or so, it has been increasingly observed that there seems to be an overlap between autism and anorexia nervosa.

https://www.feast-ed.org/autism-and-anorexia-nervosa/






EDANZ Support Group Meetings

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 Zoom 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.

We alternate monthly between evening and daytime meetings.

Upcoming 2022 Dates:

  • March: Monday 21st, 7pm-8.30pm 
  • April: Friday 15th, 12pm-1pm
  • May: Monday 16th, 7pm-8.30pm

More information can be found on our website Parent/Carer Support Groups page

Remember: EDANZ helpline is open throughout all Covid 'traffic lights' – please don’t hesitate to contact us info@ed.org.nz or leave a message on the phone 0800 2 EDANZ and we will get back to you as soon as we can. If you are concerned about the safety of someone, please ring 111 or go to the Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.


Please consider donating to EDANZ

We acknowledge times are financially tight for many, but at this time there is also a corresponding increase in demand for our services. As a volunteer organisation relying totally on donations and grants to provide our services – many of which are currently self-funded – your financial support is more needed now than ever before. 

Your donation will enable us to continue our work providing support to families, education to healthcare providers and the community, and advocating for improved access to evidence-based treatment for all affected New Zealanders. 

Make a Donation

Thank you for your donations!