What to do when assisting a student who may have an eating disorder

Faculty members may not know how to help the student or may feel that he or she doesn’t know enough about eating disorders to be a source of support. Additionally, a faculty member or professor may also be worried that his or her student’s health is at risk and hesitant to betray her student’s trust by contacting a dean or a residential advisor. However sticky the situation may be, you could be the students one ally for help.

Here are some tips to help you assist students who may be struggling:

Do:

-Establish rapport with the student
-Educate yourself about eating disorders.
-Discuss with the student the specific behaviors that concern you.
-Express concern for the student in a caring, supportive and non-judgmental manner.
-Focus on the negative consequences of the student’s actions and appeal to a desire to reduce or eliminate these negative consequences.
-Reassure the student that help is available and change is possible.
-Ask the student to make a commitment to contact a counseling and/or medical referral. Or, ask the student to visit http://loveyourbody.missouri.edu for a list of resources for the student should he or she wish to receive treatment.
-Consult your department dean, the Student Health Center or the Counseling Center Staff if the student’s behavior appears to be life threatening.
-Follow-up; show continued support; ask about the referral.

Don’t:

-Confront the student when you do not have privacy.
-Promise confidence.
-Argue with the student.
-Give advice about weight loss, exercise, or appearance.
-Attempt to force the student to eat.

Other things you can do as a faculty member:

* Encourage your students to attend educational events on body image, nutrition and exercising hosted each semester by the Student Health Center, Wellness Center, Counseling Center or Women’s Center, including the series of events held each February for Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

* Get in touch with the Wellness Resource Center, Student Health Center, Women’s Center or Counseling Center to ask questions or to schedule an informal talk on body image & eating issues for your class (or for your team meeting if you are a coach).