LGBTQ+ Youth Deserve a Voice in the Fight Against Eating Disorders
At NEDA, we know that eating disorders don’t discriminate against gender, sexuality, class, race, or physical ability. We also know how important it is to hear from a variety of individuals in the eating disorder and recovery community, which is why we have partnered with The Trevor Project on a survey designed to give a voice to young LGBTQ+ people. The Trevor Project is a leading non-profit focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth.
While the survey will focus on mental health, close attention will be paid to eating disorders and suicide. It is available to folks 13-24 years old, of all genders and sexualities. Our hope is that this will begin to mend the gap in research about eating disorders and mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and provide critical information on the needs of LGBTQ+ youth that can be provided to health care providers, caretakers, and educators.
Studies have shown that as early as age 12, gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens may be at higher risk of binge-eating and purging than heterosexual peers. And among males who have eating disorders, 42% identify as gay.
Take action today by taking and/or sharing our survey with your network and communities. Below is a sample tweet for inspiration:
Calling all #LGBTQ+ youth! We want to know about your experiences with #mentalhealth and #eatingdisorders. Share your story in this @TrevorProject survey created in partnership with @NEDAstaff: http://bit.ly/2CWAirP
For more information about eating disorders in the LGBTQ+ community, check out these articles from the NEDA blog:
- You Are Not Alone: Self-Care Tips and Resources for Trans Folx
- 8 Ways to Be An Ally to LGBTQ People in Recovery
- Dear Leon: How Can I Develop a Positive Body Image As a Gender Non-Conforming Person?
- Providing Better Care for Transgender and Non-Binary Patients
- We Need to Talk About Gender and Sexuality in the Doctor’s Office
- Navigating Eating Disorder Recovery While Visibly Trans
Also be sure to check out NEDA’s resources for eating disorders in LGBTQ populations for more general information.
Thank you for your continued support in creating a world where everyone can speak openly about their struggles and access the help they deserve!
