The number of young people, aged 18 to 22, needing eating disorder support in Northern Ireland has more than tripled in the last five years, according to new figures.
Beat, the eating disorder charity, says in the past year it delivered an estimated 603 helpline sessions to young people in the north - a 255% increase compared to the same time period in 2019/2020.
It said demand was particularly high between April 2022 and March 2023, when the charity delivered over eight times more helpline sessions to 18 to 22-year-olds in the north, compared to before the pandemic.
It has released the data in a bid to help university staff to spot the early warning signs of eating disorders and support students.
It also said online and in-person spaces are available for its Bridging the Gap training, designed to help people who work with students, including student union staff, teaching staff, hall representatives, wellbeing teams and counsellors.
The sessions include training on common signs and symptoms of all types of eating disorders, how to approach a student about concerns and where to signpost them to support.
Anna-Louise Dougan (25) from Armagh told of how she focussed so heavily on her university studies, she had “unknowingly been neglecting food”.
“I had constant nausea and sleep deprivation, I was overcome with anxiety and I had this loud negative voice that had the reins over my life,” she said.
“My housemates pointed out their worries but I didn’t think I had a problem.
“I found it really difficult to be diagnosed with anorexia, especially with the stigma of the disorder.
“I knew I couldn’t finish my degree so I took a leave of absence. My psychiatrist encouraged me that the only way to pursue my dreams and a career was to get better; you can’t take the eating disorder with you.
“I finished my degree in 2021 during the pandemic. It was so refreshing living with my friends and getting back into a normal eating schedule, seeing them cook, and going to the kitchen to eat because they were hungry – it was a very healthy environment to be in.”
Nicola Armstrong from Beat said starting a new university term can “feel incredibly exciting, but also daunting”.
“Making meals with flat mates, getting used to a new way of studying and living away from loved ones are just a few elements that people with or vulnerable to eating disorders can struggle with. It can also be tricky for students to quickly access eating disorder support in their new home,” she said.
“To make sure that students across Northern Ireland have the support they need, we’d encourage universities to sign up to our Bridging the Gap training course, to help them to confidently spot the warning signs and signpost students to support.
“Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses; identifying them and reaching out for treatment as soon as possible leads to the best chances of making a full recovery.
“It’s also really important that students check in with their flat mates and course mates.
“If somebody appears worried during mealtimes, often has low mood or fixates on their food or exercise routine, asking if they’re okay and sharing some information about eating disorders is a good first step.
“People with eating disorders often feel very alone during their illness, and kind words of encouragement and support can make all the difference.”
For information, visit https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
