My names Darcie I’m 17 and I have lived with anorexia for about 5 years, my experience with hospitals scared me and I now am left feeling intense panic and fear everytime I have to walk past that ward to go to an appointment .  when I was in the hospital I was left feeling alienated, confused with what was going to happen next (because no one discussed anything with me or my parents) overall i was not treat like the child that I was . Simply being told ‘your heart will get better if you just eat and drink’.

The lack of understanding from hospital staff about my disorder left me feeling hopeless and scared. No one should feel how I felt in that photo.
This is not just my story but the story of many others suffering from this disorder.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health condition that affects millions worldwide. Yet, it's alarming to note that many healthcare professionals lack the necessary training to effectively treat this disorder. According to a study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, only 30% of clinicians felt they had received adequate training in eating disorders (International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2013). This gap in knowledge can lead to misdiagnosis or inadequate care.

Hospitals should be safe havens for patients - places where they feel understood and supported. However, without proper training on anorexia nervosa treatment for all hospital staff involved in patient care - from doctors and nurses to dietitians and therapists - they cannot ensure this level of support. Which ends up in traumatised patients that refuse support completely because they feel hopeless.

We urge healthcare institutions nationwide to mandate comprehensive training on anorexia nervosa treatment for all relevant staff members. By doing so, we can minimise the trauma associated with hospitals for patients battling this disorder.

Please sign my petition today; let's work together towards creating safer healthcare environments for individuals living with anorexia nervosa.