The number of Scottish university students seeking help for eating disorders has more than doubled in the past five years, according to the charity BEAT. The organisation reported that the number of individuals aged 18 to 22 reaching out for assistance has risen significantly, with over 1400 young people seeking support between April 2023 and April this year, compared to 723 between 2019 and 2020.
Alex Jones from BEAT highlighted the challenges faced by young people during their university years, stating that the transition to living away from home and adjusting to new routines can exacerbate issues related to eating disorders. BEAT is urging Scottish universities to participate in their Bridging the Gap training programme to equip staff with the skills to identify early warning signs of eating disorders in students.
Second-year student Erin Butler shared her personal journey of overcoming anorexia and the struggles she faced during her university experience. Despite initial challenges, with the support of her family, friends, and therapy, Erin has been able to navigate her recovery and is now living happily with loved ones back at university.
Universities that have participated in the Bridging the Gap training have found it beneficial, with one professional from The University of Edinburgh commending the programme for providing valuable insights on handling difficult conversations related to eating disorders tailored to the student demographic.
For further information and support, individuals can contact BEAT Scotland at 0808 801 0432 or visit www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk. To stay updated on news from Scotland and beyond, readers can sign up for the daily newsletter on the Daily Record website.