International Resources

I know a plethora of eating disorder resources and can share them with people readily. Those resources (including hotlines, websites, forums, projects, blogs, organizations, support groups, and therapists), however, are only for the United States. And I've been thinking (and worrying) about how disheartening that must be for a lot of people.

A woman commented on one of my videos recently, telling me how she'd been to see a doctor who passed off her bulimia as something that wasn't serious, how she has struggled to get help, how she doesn't know where to turn... because she's in Korea. She pleaded with me to help her - what could she do?, she asked.

Well, I immediately began searching the internet for resources in Korea. And let me tell you what a difficult time I had. I couldn't find a thing. I began to search broadly for eating disorder resources, and all I came up with were American sites, a few UK sites, and even fewer Australian sites. I know part of this is because I am using a search engine here in the United States. But I also know that it must be very hard for people in other countries to find the resources they need.

I couldn't find a single eating disorder hotline that wasn't in the USA or the UK. There's ANAD and NEDA and SomethingFishy's resources... but they can't help anyone who's not in the US.

So I responded to this viewer with encouragement and advice, but with a lack of actual resources of a place she could contact.

Well, after a lot of digging, I found two websites I'd like to share with you, especially as I know there are people from several different countries who read my blog.

The first is: Eating Disorder Hope International Treatment and Resources

This site lists several countries (by no means all, but it's better than anything else I've found) including Austria, China, Italy, and Japan as links, and when you click the link for the specific country, the site will list all the eating disorder resources available. It's wonderful.

The second is: an international links page for a UK Eating Disorders Association

On this page are a variety of services and organizations, marked by the flag of a specific country. Represented are the UK, Germany, New Zealand, the European Council on Eating Disorders, Canada, the US, etc.

Again, there are only a few countries represented here, but it's very helpful.

So, now, two things I'd like you to do if you can:

1) Pass these resources on to anyone you know (or use them yourself!)

2) Please tell me if you know of any other international resources or websites I can add to my list.

Thank you!