It was really exciting today that Julie Elliott, MP for Sunderland Central, shone a spotlight on eating disorders!
She not only highlighted the major problem with the way eating disorders are dealt with in this country; but also gave a special shout out to the #DumpTheScales campaign.
She emphasised that “It is shocking that it has happened once. But we are talking of hundreds of people turned away from services they desperately need…”
Every 62 minutes someone with an eating disorder dies and the fact is we need to make sure that the Government takes this issue seriously before we lose more people to eating disorders.
There are 2 things you can do right now to show your support:
- Share the petition on your social; suggested tag:
Turning people with #eatingdisorders away from support because of their BMI is a complete injustice! We must change this NOW! Will you act NOW and support @HopeVirgo’s petition to #DumpTheScales https://www.change.org/p/eating-disorders-are-not-just-about-weight-dumpthescales
- And secondly, copy and paste the below letter and email to Matt Hancock. (Please feel free to personalise) To submit the letter online: https://contactus.dhsc.gov.uk/?openform OR email him directly on matt.hancock.mp@parliament.uk
Many thanks for all your ongoing support! I won't stop campaigning until this injustice ends!
Please do follow "hopevirgo_" on instagram to see the video of Julie Elliott in parliament talking about the campaign
Together we can end this injustice
Dear The Rt Hon Matt Hancock,
I am writing in support of the #DumpTheScales campaign led by Author and Mental Health campaigner Hope Virgo, and I hope you are able to support the campaign too.
The aim of the campaign is to end the injustices that people with eating disorders face, so everyone can get support they need.
Currently sufferers of eating disorders are being turned away from treatment as a result of their BMI not being low enough. This is not acceptable.
People with eating disorders should be judged on their mental state, not their physical weight.
We are calling for the government to implement the NICE guidelines through clear communications, GP and clinical training, to ensure that those suffering with Eating Disorders get the treatment they deserve, before it gets to crisis point.
There are over 1.6million people in the UK that have an Eating Disorder. This is not an issue that will go away, but with effective preventative strategies that stop people from getting to crisis point, we have the opportunity to save lives, and to save the NHS money.
You can contact Hope to meet with her, to ask for more information on the campaign, or for template press releases, by emailing her at hopevirgo@hotmail.com
In the meantime, I will be, alongside Hope, encouraging everyone I know to sign the #DumpTheScales petition, and to get in contact with both you and their local MPs, to keep this on the agenda.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses and are currently not getting the treatment, commitment and support needed.