Eating disorders on college campuses have exponentially increased in recent decades and those at Tulane University are no exception. This DSM-recognized class of mental health disorders has the second highest mortality rate of all mental health illnesses, second only to the opioid epidemic. While we appreciate having a small team of professionals helping these students that struggle with disordered eating and eating disorders at Campus Health, they are limited with the care that they can provide. While medical doctors and dietitians are essential, students need a full range of psychotherapy and mental health resources on campus to have a fighting chance at a full recovery. These are mental illnesses and are not strictly behavioral.

The counseling center at Tulane has the potential to help these struggling students. We are asking for the support to have the counseling center bring in an eating disorder specialist to give individual and group therapy to the student body. Specialists have a background where they are trained in these complex and dangerous disorders and can supply their patients with a very specific type of treatment. Whereas non-specialized therapists were not and are unprepared to manage such delicate cases, potentially causing further harm. With campus culture falling into the unsafe pressures to engage in behaviors, we need this resource now. More and more students are reporting struggling with body image and eating disorders; they need this care.

Please sign below and help us reach our campus leadership in order to bring resources and care to our students.