TWO new videos bidding to raise awareness about the impact of eating disorders have been launched at Bournemouth University.

Created alongside Dorset HealthCare and Healthwatch Dorset they feature victims of anorexia and bulimia talking about their illnesses.

Sarah Clark is a final year occupational therapy student at BU who has herself battled with anorexia and chose to share her experience in one of the productions.

 

“I think it is just about raising awareness of eating disorders and giving hope to people that it is possible to recover and lead a normal life and there are people who can support you through that process,” she said.

“It’s not just that one person who experiences it, everyone else in your family goes through it with you.”

Unveiled as part of Carers Week the videos were shown at BU’s Talbot Campus to a packed audience of mental health professionals, service users and carers.

 

Among the speakers at the event was Lorna Garner, interim chief executive of eating disorder charity Beat, who spoke about her campaign for better services.

She said support needs to be provided for relatives of sufferers as well as those living with the conditions themselves.

She added: “These videos show that it’s all ages, all ethnicities, both genders, and it affects everybody quite deeply.

“But what they overridingly show is that recovery is possible, and recovery is only possible if you speak out and seek help and if people give that to you.”

Micki Bennet, eating disorders community services manager at Dorset HealthCare, added: “Breaking down the stigmas often associated with eating disorders is vital and these films aim to contribute towards this mission.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside those involved and hear their stories – they are truly inspirational. I hope that in sharing their experiences it will encourage others to come forward who may be suffering in silence. Help is available and recovery is very much a reality, as these films show.”

And BU’s Dr James Palfreman-Kay, who co-ordinated the creation of the videos, said: “For me it’s about putting into practice the university’s commitment to Time to Change and really wanting to show a positive approach to mental health."

The two videos are available to view on the Bournemouth University YouTube channel.