Following the release of the economics report on Friday, I am writing to you all to ask you to send a copy of the report to your local MP.

We have tried to make the government listen by sharing stories, but for some reason that doesn’t seem to stick! With that in mind we need to make sure that the whole of parliament are aware of the financial implications of not providing treatment for those with eating disorders.

Below is a draft letter to send to your local MP – please copy and paste it (and do feel free to personalise it too!) Don’t forget to add your address so they know you are in their constituency.

And as always let me know if you hear back! Together we will change this and end the injustices that people all over the country are facing when it comes to eating disorders - Thank you!!

MP Letter

Dear X

I am writing to you to share a copy of a report that was released on Friday which is highlighting the cost of eating disorders on the UK. The report was analysed by EY, was co-authored by Hope Virgo, Gerome Breen, Professor of Psychiatric Genetics at King’s College London, and Dr Agnes Ayton. It reveals that the costs of eating disorders on the UK could be as high as £9.4 billion in 2020. 

The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the mental health of our nation and it’s hit eating disorder sufferers particularly hard. What was already a health crisis before the pandemic has now reached total catastrophe with the numbers of people needing support increasing, and an overrun, broken system falling to its knees. People are being turned away from treatment, children are in general wards being tube fed, caregivers don’t know where to turn for support, and there is no sign of this ending.

This report is just another stark reminder of what is going on across the UK right now where every single day people are being left in limbo without any support. The whole report can be read: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/65877873/the-cost-of-eating-disorders-in-the-uk-2019-and-2020-with-annex

Among the recommendations in the report is a call for a UK-wide eating disorder strategy with a clear timeline for implementation, a screening programme, increased research, awareness raising and training for healthcare professionals.

As my local MP, I am urging you to:

1.     Show your support for the report by sharing it on social media using the hashtag #ukcostofeatingdisorders

2.     Ask the Prime Minister, and new Minister for Mental health what they are doing to support the recommendations put forward in this campaign

3.     Contact Hope Virgo and her colleagues on hopevirgo@hotmail.com to find out more how you can support this vital work

As my MP I look forward to hearing what you will do, and how you are planning to tackle this issue moving forward.

Best wishes,