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For many, summertime means vacations, long, warm days, and a much-appreciated break from school or work. It is a season of sunshine and recreation. For the millions of people with an eating disorder, however, summer often means something much more difficult than carefree leisure and freedom. As the school year ends and summer approaches, now is the time to plan for and address the common challenges facing people with eating disorders during the summer. In this article, we discuss some key factors that make this season difficult for those affected by these illnesses and describe how providers and loved ones can help to connect them with support. While no time of the year is easy for those with eating disorders, the summer season presents unique difficulties that can trigger and worsen symptoms if left unchecked. Changes in routine and environment, as well as additional food-related activities and body image concerns, are among the particular factors that can make the summer especially difficult. Learn more about how changes affect eating disorder symptoms, what the signs are that someone might be struggling, and how you can help your patient or loved one.
In 2018, Christine Ringo joined Accanto Health, the parent company of The Emily Program, Veritas Collaborative, and Gather Behavioral Health. She started at Veritas’ eating disorder treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, and has worked in four roles within the organization including Therapeutic Assistant or Behavioral Health Technician (BHT), Site Trainer, Talent Acquisition Business Partner (TABP), and Talent Acquisition Team Lead. “I had the pleasure of working on-site at our Atlanta eating disorder treatment center for about three and a half years before transitioning to our remote Talent Acquisition team. Seeing the client’s recovery firsthand is incredibly moving and knowing that I am a part of bringing on new staff to care for our clients is incredibly motivating,” said Christine. “Something unique about treating eating disorders is the culture. It is essential that we build a culture where staff are sensitive to the needs of the eating disorder population and have strong collaboration and teamwork skills to help our clients thrive in their recovery journeys. It is also important that our nutritional philosophies are counter to the diet culture ideas that are so pervasive in American culture. In the eating disorder treatment space, being anti-diet culture is so beneficial for our clients, and our staff learn a lot too,” she said. Read more from Christine at the link below.
**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed. Abby Anderson (she/her) is from the Twin Cities area and underwent treatment at The Emily Program following her anorexia nervosa diagnosis in the spring of 2018. After graduating from business school in 2020, Abby worked in corporate retail and consulting before eventually finding her passion in healthcare. Today, Abby works in a job that blends her skillset with her vested interest in eating disorder treatment, research, education, and accessibility. Abby spends her free time hanging out with friends, doing yoga, listening to podcasts, taking long walks outside, and, of course, writing. In this blog, Abby tells us about her new book, Eaten Alive: Anorexia: Learning to Thrive after Living to Survive, how writing her memoir supported her healing, and why others should join her in pushing back against societal misconceptions of health. Read Abby's interview and learn more about her experience at the link below.
At Accanto Health, we are committed to fostering a culture of acceptance and respect for staff and clients alike. Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council, led by an EDI Advisory Council, guides us in upholding these values and enacting meaningful change within our organization and beyond. Today, we are thrilled to highlight the passion of several members of our EDI Advisory Council. These staff, representing both The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative brands, are at the forefront of the Council’s work to advocate for change, create safe spaces, amplify marginalized voices, and celebrate diversity and community. Their voices are a testament to the spirit of our EDI Council in action. The impact generated by the EDI Advisory Council extends beyond Accanto Health’s treatment services. For Katie McMahon, an Outpatient CBT/CBT-E Therapist and Clinical Trainer at our Cleveland, Ohio site, the Council has not only been a great opportunity to make real changes to how both staff and clients are served at Accanto, but also a “space for social justice issues to be elevated to the front of the priority list.” Mia Denuit, a Behavioral Health Specialist at the Anna Westin House West, also stresses the necessity of inclusivity. “I want to make sure that people from all walks of life are being seen, understood, and celebrated,” she shares. “My goals lie in uplifting those who have been excluded from the conversation.” Read more from our EDI Council below.
The Emily Program is excited to announce that we’ve expanded our services to meet the increasing need for adult residential programming in Ohio. Our new Columbus residential program will provide exceptional, individualized care to adults of all genders struggling with eating disorders. “We’re thrilled to extend residential care to more individuals in Columbus,” says Site Director Jennifer Beck, LPCC-S. “Eating disorders are serious illnesses, but they are also highly treatable. Access to effective care at the appropriate level is crucial. Residential treatment isn’t widely available in the region, so we’re pleased to fulfill this critical need.” Ohio is home to an estimated 1,029,001 people grappling with eating disorders, and the consequences of untreated illnesses are staggering. Eating disorders have the second-highest mortality rate among mental health conditions, only surpassed by opioid use disorder. The right care at the right time is key to recovery. Learn more at the link below.