beat launch

Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2007 began on the 5th February with an audience of MPs, national media, and health professionals who gathered at the House of Commons where the Eating Disorders Association revealed its new name and vision.

beat – eating disorders will be beaten.

Hosted by Dr Ian Gibson MP the launch was beat’s opportunity to introduce our new identity and to encourage MP’s and the media to recognise eating disorders as the serious mental health issue that it is.

On the same day as beat was launched, we also released our report “Something’s got to change” which was produced as a result of a survey taken of 600 young people nationwide and how we discovered some truly shocking statistics – for example only 1% of young people felt they could talk to their parents about their concerns regarding food and eating disorders. The findings of this report made us realise that for eating disorders to be beaten we must make sure that we challenge the stigma associated with them – whether people with eating disorders are being glamorised or condemned – we know that beat must speak the truth about this isolating illness.

beat ambassadors, Claire, Heather, Rachel, Hannah, and Rebecca were at the House of Commons to talk about their experience of having and recovering from an eating disorder, and the hope which they believe beat can represent to those with an eating disorder. The ambassadors’ speeches really brought beat’s vision to life – that there was hope for people with an eating disorder, because with the appropriate recognition and treatment eating disorders can be beaten.  

The beat launch was also joined by the Rt Hon Rosie Winterton, Minister of State (Health Services), Department of Health who had a good chat with the young ambassadors and welcomed beat’s new identity and vision. beat was incredibly pleased that Rt Hon Rosie Winterton took the time out of her extremely busy schedule to attend our launch, and are hopeful that Rosie Winterton will continue to be supportive of the work which we do nationwide.

The House of Commons event was a real success and ensured that beat was placed firmly on the map.