Eating Disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of longstanding behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal and social factors (NEDA, 2013). While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, it is more often an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem overwhelming. College health and wellness services play an important role in access and education regrading eating disorders in young adults. Individuals struggling with an eating disorder are unable to fully participate, achieve their goals and thrive in a college setting. It is critical to have early detection, appropriate interventions and treatment for this population of individuals. People do recover from eating disorders and go to live healthy, and fulfilling lives.
The William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education is invested in cultivating a healthy UM experience and that includes supporting individuals who may be struggling with eating disorder and disordered eating concerns.
The University Counseling Center, Student Health Services, and the William Magee Center collaborate together to fulfill our Comprehensive Eating Disorder Program (CEDP). The CEDP is two-fold and includes individualized services to those engaged with the Eating Disorder Treatment Team (EDTT) and the campus community for population-based education.
To get started, it is recommended that you complete an information form. A member of the CEDP will reach out to you. Please click here to submit the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of services can I expect?
The CEDP and EDTT use a multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach to eating disorders at the University of Mississippi. Our approaches include:
Education and Early Detection
- Educational events, programs, and workshops
- Formal education in for individuals and staff
- Informal resources/collection of materials on eating disorders
- Residential life programs
- Training provided to peer educators
- Increased screening opportunities
Interventions and Treatment
- Counseling services with staff practitioners who have a specialty in eating disorders
- Physician Oversight
- Access to a Registered Dietician
- Cooking Demonstrations
- Personal Training opportunities
Recovery
- Access to the Collegiate Recovery Community
What can I expect to gain from the CEDP services?
Individual Level
- Encourage individuals with eating disorders to seek support and campus services.
- Develop coping strategies and support networks to address emotional issues that could lead to relapse of the eating disorder.
- Restore healthy eating patterns, healthy weight maintenance, and realistic view of body size.
- Develop healthy patterns and beliefs about self that lead to positive identity and prevent a relapse of the eating disorder.
Population Level
- Increase information and education to the campus community regarding eating disorders.
- Provide educational outreach to assist individuals in connecting peers to services.
- Increase visibility of services provided by the eating disorder treatment team.
- Launch social marketing designed to increase awareness of eating disorders and campus services.
- Encourage individuals with eating disorders to seek support and campus services.
- Educate campus professionals on the importance of primary and secondary prevention.
- Provide professional development opportunities to increase eating disorder treatment capacity.
- Celebrate the diversity of body size and shape.
What is the EDTT and who serves on the team?
This interdisciplinary team consists of mental health professionals, physicians, and registered dietitians to collaborate to provide appropriate education and prevention, campus screenings, individualized assessments, intervention and support for disorder eating and eating disorders on the University of Mississippi campus. As a collaborative team, this means that individuals typically will have a comprehensive assessment with:
- a therapist
- a registered dietician
- a physician
Following this assessment, an individual may be discussed in treatment team meetings in order to collaborate for care and identify the most appropriate treatment recommendations for that individual. The EDTT understands that eating disorder treatment may be long term in nature and require a higher level of treatment than can be provided through on-campus resources. We are dedicated to connecting individuals to community resources necessary for their care and that best fit their needs.
The EDTT will continue to assess an individual’s progress and recovery and make updated recommendations based on their progress and level of functioning and individuals who remain in the care of the EDTT may receive services by the providers at University Counseling Center, Student Health Services and the William Magee Center.
For more information about clinical services, please contact:
For more information about education and prevention services, please contact Sierra Elston at wellnessedu@olemiss.edu
Why do you use a team approach in the treatment of eating disorders?
Due to the complexity of eating disorders and the medical and psychological issues that affect a wide range of individuals, it is important to use a team approach. Eating disorders can impact an individual’s physical health, mental and emotional health, day-to-day functioning, academic engagement and other aspects of their wellness, it is best practice to provide eating disorder treatment that includes professionals that can address these multiple facets of an individual’s wellbeing.
Is the Eating Disorder Treatment Team (EDTT) a treatment program?
The EDTT is not a treatment program, rather a team of professionals who work collaboratively to assess an individual’s need for services. Level of services provided by the EDTT is a very important consideration. Depending on an individual’s needs and the severity or complexity of an eating disorder or related concerns, one may need different elements or levels of treatment. An individual typically will see a therapist, a registered dietitian and a physician for an assessment/evaluation. Following this assessment, an individual may be discussed in EDTT team meetings in order to collaborate care and identify the most appropriate treatment recommendations for that individual.
What if I need a level of eating disorder treatment that is more intensive or longer term?
The EDTT and associated professionals are happy to help in providing referrals for higher levels of treatment. We can assist in locating additional services in the area and elsewhere. {Medical leave for individuals}
What if I do not think my eating concerns are serious enough?
It is recommended that anyone seek help who has concerns about their eating patterns, body image, self-esteem or weight. Even eating related problems that do not meet criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis can cause significant problems. The CEDP is design to help all disordered eating and eating disorder needs.