As someone who has been deeply affected by the severity of eating disorders in my own family, I am compelled to publicise our story in hope of catalysing change. My recently diagnosed 12-year-old niece with Anorexia Nervosa, is presently hospitalised and undergoing a liquid refeeding programme. The extent of her fasting was only realised at the onset of summer holidays after months of her skipping breakfast and lunch, with only the evening meal consumed. Missing breakfast was nothing unusual for her as she has never been a 'breakfast person' but we now know she was not eating anything at school for months and months and this went unnoticed by the school. It's imperative that schools have a role in the prevention and early detection of eating disorders, especially when most eating disorders are developed between the ages of 10-19.

Anorexia Nervosa is a mental health condition and it has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Our aim is to integrate a system in secondary schools that monitors lunch habits of students and informs parents if a child consistently skips meals. A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry indicates that early intervention of eating disorders can significantly improve treatment outcomes (British Journal of Psychiatry, 2011). Schools, being a principal environment for kids, can potentially identify early signs hence preventing the disorder's advancement to dangerous levels.

It's time to implement a consistent monitoring and parental notification system in our schools nationwide, steering a proactive approach towards early detection of possible eating disorders. Every signature brings us a step closer to protecting our children's health and wellbeing. Please sign this petition advocating for our children's safety.