How universities can support students with eating disorders

What can universities do to better tackle the issue? 

• Refer students to an eating disorder service: “Some, but by no means all, universities are able to refer students to an eating disorder service where the student can receive specialist treatment. Many universities also have their own or affiliated GP practices and so it is crucial that those GPs, as well as University Mental Health Advisors, receive training on eating disorders,” says Rebecca.

• Raise awareness: “On average it takes three and a half years for someone to get treatment for an eating disorder after first falling ill, and the longest part of this delay – nearly two years – is because the person does not realise they are ill, so better education about spotting the signs is vital. Universities can play a role in raising awareness of where to get support, including from organisations such as Beat,” says Rebecca.

• Understand severity: “Be aware/trained about eating disorders as they are the major cause of death of all mental health issues of any age, so therefore don’t ignore older students. Also please please please don’t ignore young men and assume eating disorders are only a female issue.  Get hold of ABC’s Guide for Students,” says Jane.

• Provide staff training: “Training will help dispel the many myths and misconceptions that many people have and will help not only with empathy and proper understanding of causation, but what to look for. Staff and students need to know how to spot the signs early and how to intervene. The what to say, and not to say plus the what to do and what not to do is important.” says Jane.

• Increase budget: “The complexities and resistance to change/professional treatment make them really difficult to treat.  As they need lengthy care, universities will need a bigger budget and more trained staff to offer the care required for the time needed,” says Jane. 

• Tackle isolation: “University can be a stressful place to be and institutions can do more to manage expectations and tackle isolation,” says Rebecca.

• Adopt a whole-university approach: “There needs to be a joined-up approach between academic staff, sport and leisure staff, medical and counselling,” says Jane.

• Reduce stigma: “In addition, a lot of people with pre-existing mental health illness don’t declare this on their UCAS application for fear that it will stop them for getting onto the course. It could help to explain to potential students that having an eating disorder doesn’t automatically mean they will be turned down or sent home, and this would encourage more students to seek help,” says Rebecca.

• Empower students: “Patients have rights (as per guidance from NHS Improvement about patient choice in mental health). If more well-known, these ‘rights’ could be useful in helping students access services wherever they need it, without having to wait until they have moved back home or back to university to get the referral made,” says Rebecca.

The person with a suspected eating disorder needs to be handled carefully and invited to talk/share, so as to become ready for professional support and treatment.

• Introduce peer support: “Peer support at the uni is another good avenue. We have a Befriending Service which matches someone struggling with someone trained and well recovered offering weekly guidance for 6 months, and extend this service (which works to professional outcomes) to any university,” says Jane.  

• Reduce waiting times: “Beat have called for waiting times targets and clear referral pathway specified for adults (as has been done for young people). This should address the issue of students who live away from home never reaching the top of a waiting list and would ideally include provision to allow for universities to directly refer people to adult eating disorder services and for people to self-refer,” says Rebecca.

• Respond to situations appropriately: “The person with a suspected eating disorder needs to be handled really carefully and invited to talk/share so as to become ready for professional support and treatment. This needs to be gently, to the person they trust most to begin with. It can be slow work. ABC has literature and a forthcoming readiness for recovery course. If, however they look dangerously ill, or are expressing dark thoughts or suicidal intent, then there may not be time for the softly approach and a member of staff needs to be informed immediately and a referral to the GP/university health centre.  The university should have its own guidance on when to inform parents or carers,” says Rebecca.