8 to 17% of post-secondary students are affected with an eating disorder.
You can make a positive impact on their lives.
NEDIC is endeavouring to increase help-seeking among post-secondary students who are living with and affected by eating disorders.
We operate Canada’s only national toll-free helpline focusing on supporting individuals affected by eating disorders, and in December 2017, launched an online instant chat platform to make our helpline services more accessible. During our one-year pilot, overall helpline usage increased 65%, and we found that clients under 25 years of age were three times more likely to request support via instant chat than through the telephone. Our goals for this initiative are to bring awareness of our services to post-secondary students across Canada and to facilitate access to support for students experiencing these serious concerns. NEDIC’s instant chat service may be an accessible option to help both post-secondary students and campus services better manage their current challenges of long wait-times and insufficient resources.
On this page, you will find information about:
Request an education session from our trained and knowledgeable outreach and education team. They can offer free, remote (using Zoom) sessions for post-secondary institutions across the country on a variety of topics, including:
Spotting the signs and supporting someone affected (for student services professionals, student leaders, residence staff, athletics and recreation staff) – 90 minutes
Learning objectives:
Navigating pathways to care for eating disorders in Canada(for campus health and mental health professionals)
Everyone’s baseline knowledge of eating disorders is different. We believe strong foundational knowledge increases our capacity to confidently and effectively provide compassionate support to the clients we work with. In light of this, we offer two versions of Navigating Pathways to Care. Identifying which version may be the best fit for your team will depend on your team’s existing overall level of knowledge on eating disorders and your scheduling availability.
Option 1: Two-part workshop – 60 minutes per session
Learning objectives – Part 1:
Learning objectives – Part 2:
Option 2: Single-session workshop – 90 minutes
Learning Objectives:
If your team has limited knowledge of eating disorders and diet culture, Option 1 may be more suitable compared to the single-session version. We generally recommend Option 2 if your team has attended Spotting the signs and supporting someone affected or if they have a strong baseline knowledge of eating disorders.
Our team is flexible and able to tailor content; we’d love to work with you and figure out how to best support your needs regarding hopeful learning outcomes and scheduling!
We have developed three messages with complementary graphics to be posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Each pairing would ideally be posted in sequence within a semester.
We appreciate that each campus will have unique populations and needs. Therefore, we encourage you to tailor the messaging to connect with your student communities.
Post #1
"Being a student can be challenging. It can be difficult to manage your many responsibilities, especially if you're struggling with food or weight preoccupation and don’t know where to turn for support.
@thenedic [tag for Facebook page] is there for you. The client support team is available to provide information, support, and assistance in finding resources in your area. Check out www.nedic.ca to access support through their anonymous and confidential instant chat service."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
Post #2
"The last half of the semester can be an especially stressful time of year. Juggling final assignments, exams, and other aspects of your life can take an emotional toll and trigger eating disorder symptoms.
Be aware of the warning signs, and visit @thenedic [tag for Facebook page] to learn more about how to support yourself or someone else. You can receive support through their anonymous and confidential instant chat service!"
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
Post #3
"Did you know that an estimated 8 to 17% of college/university students are affected with an eating disorder?
If you’re experiencing concerns that food or exercise dominates your life, you’re definitely not alone. @thenedic [tag for Facebook page] is there for you. You can chat anonymously and confidentially with a support worker in less than 30 seconds at www.nedic.ca"
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #1
"Being a student during COVID-19 is not easy. The stress of COVID-19, along with school responsibilities, can be emotionally draining and exacerbate eating disorder symptoms and/or body image preoccupations. Know that you are not alone and that @thenedic [tag for Facebook page] is just one click, text, or call away.
Visit @thenedic [tag for Facebook page] to access their anonymous and confidential instant chat service. Learn more about how you can support yourself and the ones that you love."
[Click here and here to download graphics to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #2
"#Didyouknow that @thenedic [tag for Facebook page] has experienced a 43% increase in helpline calls during COVID-19? Social media messaging and lockdown restrictions can negatively impact one’s relationship with food, body image, and/or exercise.
If you’re experiencing these impacts, you are not alone. @thenedic [tag for Facebook page] is there for you. You can call or chat with a support worker at
[Click here to download graphics to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #3
"During COVID-19, there has been a rise in food insecurity, poverty, climate change, and social oppression. These issues can negatively impact one’s relationship food, body image, and exercise. If this is happening to you, know that you are not alone and that @thenedic [tag for Facebook page] is there for you.
#Learnmore about the intersections of eating disorders and #socialjustice at @thenedic [tag for Facebook page], and how you can advocate for yourself and the ones you love."
[Click here to download graphics to accompany the text]
Post #1
"Struggling with food or weight preoccupation? @theNEDIC [tag for Twitter profile] is there for you. Check out www.nedic.ca to get information and resources and to access support through their anonymous and confidential instant chat service."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
Post #2
"Stressed about assignments, midterms and, on top of that, your relationship with food or exercise? @theNEDIC [tag for Twitter profile] is there for you. Go to www.nedic.ca for support through their anonymous and confidential instant chat service."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
Post #3
"#Didyouknow that an estimated 8-17% of post-secondary students are affected with an eating disorder?
If you’re concerned that food/exercise dominates your life, @theNEDIC [tag for Twitter profile] is there for you. Chat anonymously and confidentially with a support worker at www.nedic.ca"
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #1
"Struggling with eating disorders, body image, and/or exercise issues? Being a student during COVID-19 is tough… Let @theNEDIC [tag for Twitter profile] be there for you. Visit www.nedic.ca to access our anonymous and confidential instant chat service and to connect with a support worker."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #2
"#Didyouknow that @theNEDIC [tag for Twitter page] has seen a 43% increase in helpline calls during COVID-19? Social media and lockdown restrictions can negatively impact one’s relationship with their bodies and food.
If you’re experiencing these impacts, you are not alone. @theNEDIC [tag for Twitter page] is there for you."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #3
"Due to COVID-19, there has been a rise in food insecurity and social oppression. This can impact one’s relationship with their body and food.
#Learnmore about the intersections of eating disorders and #socialjustice at @theNEDIC, and how you can advocate for yourself and others."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
Post #1
"Struggling with food or weight preoccupation? @the_nedic [tag for Instagram account] is there for you. Check out www.nedic.ca to get information and resources and to access support through their anonymous and confidential instant chat service."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
Post #2
"The last half of the semester can be an especially stressful time of year. Juggling final assignments, exams, and other aspects of your life can take an emotional toll and trigger eating disorder symptoms.
If you have concerns about your relationship with food and exercise, chat anonymously and confidentially with a support worker at @the_nedic [tag for Instagram account]."
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
Post #3
"#Didyouknow that an estimated 8 to 17% of college/university students are affected with an #eatingdisorder?
If you’re experiencing concerns that food or exercise dominates your life, you’re definitely not alone.
@the_nedic [tag for Instagram account] is there for you. You can chat anonymously and confidentially with a support worker in less than 30 seconds at www.nedic.ca"
[Click here to download graphic to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #1
"Being a student during COVID-19 is not easy. The stress of COVID-19, along with school responsibilities, can be emotionally draining and exacerbate eating disorder symptoms and/or body image preoccupations. Know that you are not alone and that @the_nedic [tag for Instagram profile] is just one click, text, or call away.
Visit @the_nedic [tag for Instagram profile] to access their anonymous and confidential instant chat service. Learn more about how you can support yourself and the ones that you love."
[Click here and here to download graphics to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #2
"#Didyouknow that @thenedic [tag for Instagram profile] has experienced a 43% increase in helpline calls during COVID-19? Social media messaging and lockdown restrictions can negatively impact one’s relationship with food, body image, and/or exercise.
If you’re experiencing these impacts, you are not alone. @the_nedic [tag for Instagram profile] is there for you. You can call or chat with a support worker at
[Click here to download graphics to accompany the text]
COVID-19 Post #3
"During COVID-19, there has been a rise in food insecurity, poverty, climate change, and social oppression. These issues can negatively impact one’s relationship food, body image, and exercise. If this is happening to you, know that you are not alone and that @the_nedic [tag for Instagram profile] is there for you.
#Learnmore about the intersections of eating disorders and #socialjustice at @the_nedic [tag for Instagram profile], and how you can advocate for yourself and the ones you love."
[Click here to download graphics to accompany the text]
