October 20, 2021
Province to Expand Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery Program
– – –New Funding to Help Reduce Wait Times for Treatment, Support Early Interventions: Gordon
The Manitoba government is investing nearly $175,000 to expand the province’s eating disorder prevention and recovery program at the Women’s Health Clinic (WHC), Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.
“Manitobans living with eating disorders or disordered eating require timely access to treatment because early intervention is key to the best outcomes for their health and wellbeing,” said Gordon. “With this new funding, the program will be able to support more people on their healing journey, reduce wait times and better connect people with community supports and services.”
The funding will expand capacity and help to reduce wait times for treatment, noted the minister. The program provides community-based assessment and treatment for individuals with eating disorders so individuals can remain in the community with their support systems in place.
“With this funding, we will be able to provide critical life-saving care in a timelier manner,” said Blandine Tona, director of medical programs, WHC. “The goal is to be able to help as many people living with eating disorders as possible and this is a step in the right direction to making that goal a reality.”
During the pandemic, the WHC experienced increased demand for its services. To respond, the clinic built capacity to provide virtual services, which allows it to now serve rural and northern Manitobans as well.
“Like other mental health services, we have seen demand for eating disorder treatment programs has increased during the pandemic,” said Dr. Louis Ludwig, medical director of the adult eating disorders program, Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg. “This investment will help to address that increased demand by allowing more patients to get the help they need in a timely manner.”
This expansion is consistent with a recommendation of the VIRGO report to enhance and accelerate evidence-based treatment services, including eating disorder services. In addition to this program, eating disorder treatment is available on an immediate basis through emergency departments.
Today’s announcement follows a $1.1-million investment made last year to expand eating disorder programs at HSC Winnipeg as well as create a safe nutrition clinic for people living with eating disorders.
For more information on Manitoba’s Provincial Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery Program, visit https://womenshealthclinic.org/what-we-do/pedprp/.
To learn more about eating disorders, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/mh/docs/ed_general.pdf.
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