Calling participants for study on eating disorders

Western Sydney University researchers are seeking people with an eating disorder (ED) to help them develop an innovative mentoring support program.

The researchers, from the School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Medicine, will work alongside people with an ED and recovered individuals to develop a mentor-mentee support program for people on their road to recovery. Participants will attend a couple of workshops and complete questionnaires.

This information will be used to tailor the mentoring program to individuals' needs.

The program will then be piloted over 13 weeks and evaluated. Dr Lucie Ramjan says those joining the pilot may benefit from the personalised support that the program provides.

"We'll be listening to your story, encouraging hope, providing an environment where you are not judged and providing a connection to a non-eating disorder treatment environment, all of which may improve your quality of life and reduce social isolation," says Dr Ramjan, from the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

People who are not currently receiving inpatient treatment for an eating disorder are encouraged to contact Dr Ramjan on 02 9685 9032 or email instillinghopebrighterfuture@gmail.com

The researchers acknowledge previous support received from the Ian Potter Foundation for an Anorexia Nervosa pilot and the current support from Western Sydney University.

This study has been approved by the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee. The Approval number is: H10825

Ends

8 September 2015

Media contact: Paul Grocott, Senior Media Officer