Find Support Here
If you are in distress:
Contact Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642
For non-urgent help:
National Eating Disorder Information Center (NEDIC) at 1-866-633-4220 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm EST Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST) or speak to Instant chat (note: this is not a distress line – see “What Can the Helpline Do For Me?“)
Our Support Groups
We offer support groups in Edmonton, Calgary and online
About EDSNA support groups:
- Professionally-facilitated by people with extensive backgrounds in eating disorders.
- An effective independent evaluation of the impact of our groups by two graduate students from the University of Calgary demonstrated participants report increased feelings of hope, connection and empowerment, with decreasing levels of shame, stigma and isolation.
- Intended to support to those wishing to continue on the path of recovery in a safe, nonjudgmental environment
- Limited to a small number of participants allow everyone to participate fully.
- Open to people with ANY type of eating disorder over the age of 18
- Open to registration even without diagnosis or referral
- Very affordable. The fee can be waived if there is financial hardship by emailing info@EDSNA.ca.
- Support Groups are non-clinical:
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- Participants can expect information, coping strategies and peer support.
- The focus is on meeting the general needs of the group.
- Confidentiality is sacred and information obtained about group members stays within the group (unless a participant’s safety concern dictates otherwise)
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We provide support, not treatment or therapy
Support
A validating group experience, rooted in the belief that everyone has the wisdom to determine the best route for themselves to recovery. It is a place of mutual respect, open communication and safety. It is a place where judgement is suspended and people are free to ask questions, vent frustrations or fears, explore answers for themselves and solace. It is a place where the participant is surrounded by people who ‘get it’ and the facilitator plays an important role but is not the only teacher in the room. No records are kept. All participants agree to abide by the rules of the group including confidentiality.
Therapy
A professional, confidential and medically oriented process to achieve psychological health. Accurate records of the content of the meetings are kept. Typically, there is a stated objective or desired outcome.
Treatment
Medical intervention aimed at addressing specific health concerns. Treatment is overseen by members of the healthcare team and may include a qualified medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, and dietitian. Each healthcare provider keeps records and tailors the treatment plan to meet individual needs and operates under the guidelines of the health system.
Support Groups & Workshops
Online Support Groups for People Experiencing Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating
**NOTE: It is extremely important to attend the 1st session of all multi-week groups, as it includes important information regarding all upcoming sessions**
Online Workshops for People Experiencing Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating
**NOTE: It is extremely important to attend the 1st session of all multi-week workshops, as it includes important information regarding all upcoming sessions**
Online Drop-in Support Groups for Caregivers/Loved Ones
Other Support Options
Edmonton
Canadian Mental Health Association-Edmonton Region
Offers support groups for caregivers of people with mental illness. (NOTE: this is not solely for families facing eating disorders, but there may be common themes of self-care, healthy boundaries, overcoming isolation and stigma). All programs are suspended or online during COVID-19.
- website: https://alberta.cmha.ca/
- ph: 780-414-6300
If you are in need of assistance, call 211 (AB only) or the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642
Caregivers Alberta
Caregiver program helps caregivers balance their own well-being with the challenges of caregiving. Offers Caregiver Support Line and online programming for individuals or group setting during COVID.
- Phone: 780-453-5088
- Toll-Free: 1-877-453-5088
- Email: support@caregiversalberta.ca
Family Centre
The Family Centre offers programs to improve mental health and well-being. Counselling is available over the phone, online, and in person.
- Free drop in, single session, no appointment necessary.
- 6 different locations in Edmonton.
- Open 6 days a week.
University of Alberta Counselling and Clinical Services
Aims to provide accessible and compassionate psychological and psychiatric services to U of A students. Counselling and clinical services offered online during COVID-19. Offices in SUB are closed due to COVID-19.
Phone: 780-492-5205
YMCA of Northern Alberta
Offers courses and programs on nutrition and mental health.
Alberta Wellness Center for Eating Disorders
Multi-approach Center employing a comprehensive team of professionals with experience treating and supporting people with eating disorders. Team includes psychologists, dietitians; support is also available for caregivers and families. It also offers short-series yoga workshops to support eating disorder recovery.
- Phone: 780-977-7062
- Email: albertawellnessed@gmail.com
Kickstand
Operated by Alberta Health Services, Kickstand seeks to offer wrap-around services for those 12-25 years of age. Users of the platform can be connected with counsellors, peer workers, employment resources, support, and more. All services offered on the platform are free, and many offer a ‘walk in’ type of registration- get help right away!
- Register through all programs on Kickstand through Kickstand Connect
Calgary
Silver Linings Foundation
Silver Linings offers support groups for parents and loved ones coping with the many challenges of caring for someone they love with an eating disorder. They also offer support groups for those directly affected.
Lionheart Foundation offers therapeutic support to young people between the ages of 12-25 who reside in the Calgary area and struggle with internalizing anxiety-based mental health conditions in the mild to moderate range. Specializations include generalized anxiety, panic disorders, disordered eating (clients must be medically stable), mild to moderate mood disorders and mild to moderate trauma.
Red Deer
Alberta Health Services
Provincial Addiction and Mental Health Helpline.
- Call 811 – dial 6
- 1-403-340-5466
Support Across Canada & the USA
Note: Other organizations offer support groups, peer support, and workshops. While not all services at all organizations are open to folks in Alberta, many of the supports offered are.
Please consult the individual organization for more information, or send an email to: info@edsna.ca
ANAD (USA)
BEAT (UK)
Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA)
Bridgepoint Centre for Eating Disorders
The Eating Disorder Foundation Support Groups (Colorado, USA)
Eating Disorders Nova Scotia (EDNS)
F.E.A.S.T (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)
Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre
National Positivity Pride (California, USA)