An Eating Disorders Resource for Community and Welfare Workers

This manual was developed as part of the Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria and the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED) education strategy. The resource was developed for people working in the field of community and welfare work, including those working in the following institutions and settings:

� Residential
� Respite
� Mental health
� Social work
� Youth services; and
� Correctional and justice

Non-clinical workers in settings such as community health or crisis centres are often well placed to detect and respond to eating disorders, particularly at the prevention and early intervention end of the spectrum.

Included in this 62-page resource is specialist information on issues pertinent to health, community and welfare workers including associated co-morbidity with other behaviours such as substance abuse, as well as their role in maintaining a relationship which may exist with families or carers. It is intended to help workers assist in the prevention and early detection of eating disorders and to encourage the timely referral of people with eating disorders to professionals who specialise in treatment. The following topics are covered:

Identification
� Information about eating disorders
� Risk factors for eating disorders
� Warning signs

Intervention and Support
� What to do when somebody is at risk
� Preparation for different reactions
� Supporting people with eating, body image and exercise problems

Prevention
� How eating disorders can be prevented
� Normal growth and development
� Nutrition and exercise information
� Promoting positive body image

Additional Information
� Policy development
� BMI and body image information
� Referral information
� Reading and resource list

It is not expected that workers will be able to diagnose or treat an eating disorder through familiarity with the manual; rather they will be able to actively prevent eating disorders and appropriately encourage and support a person who is believed to be at risk to seek the appropriate treatment.