Local Students Raising Awareness of Eating Disorders

A 21-year old nursing student is being recognized nationally for her work to raise awareness about eating disorders in the community. Melissa Power has recently been selected to represent the province at Unleash the Noise, a youth-led national mental health conference. Ms. Power is also a member of the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Community Leadership Committee. This committee was formed in 2012 to provide advice and recommendations to the Provincial Government on awareness and anti-stigma initiatives.

“I am pleased to see young people like Ms. Power bringing focus and attention to the impact of eating disorders and encouraging individuals and families to seek support to overcome them,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “The Provincial Government joined with the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in observing Eating Disorder Awareness Week, which runs until February 9, to further help raise awareness in the province.”

Unleash the Noise, the first national Student Mental Health Innovation Summit will take place in March. The two-day conference will bring together 200 students from 40 universities, colleges, and high schools from across Canada. Participants will discuss interactive and innovative ways to increase mental health literacy and eliminate stigma. Further information about the conference can be found at www.unleashthenoise.com/. 

“I am both thrilled and honoured to be able to represent Newfoundland and Labrador at such a large nation-wide conference,” said Ms. Power. “As a person with lived experience with an eating disorder, I cannot wait to bring forward my views on mental health services in our province.”

Brandon Slaney, a psychology student and mental health advocate with lived experience was also among those selected to participate in the conference.

“I’m eager to learn new and unique ways to break down the stigma mental illness still has here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Mr. Slaney. “Unleash the Noise is the first ever event of its kind in Canada and I am proud to be part of something I know will grow in the future."

The conference is being organized as part of The Jack Project. The Jack Project is focused on dealing with challenges faced by young people aged 15 to 24 as they undergo the transition from adolescence into adulthood. Additional information is available at www.thejackproject.org. 

“We understand the need to support individuals affected by eating disorders,” said Minister Sullivan. “An estimated 7,500 families are impacted by eating disorders in the province. The Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is an essential advocate and our government has allocated $245,000 in funding to the Foundation over the past three years to assist them in delivering programs and services.”

The Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador provides information and support to individuals and their families throughout the province. For more information, visit www.edfnl.ca/. 

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Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and
Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca 

2013 02 08                              2:05 p.m.