We are still collecting Canadian signatures for this letter to be sent ASAP; please leave a comment here or on our Facebook page if you would like us to add your name.
Health
Minister
Honourable
Minister Rona Ambrose
House
of Commons
Ottawa,
Ontario K1A 0A6
December
3, 20014
The
members of International Eating Disorder Action, (IEDAction) are writing to you
in regards to the recently released report from The Standing Committee on the
Status of Women: “Eating Disorders Among Girls and Women in Canada.”
Thank
you for undertaking the study and allowing the testimony of 30 witnesses and
for recognizing eating disorders are serious mental health illnesses. It’s important
to be clear eating disorders affect all genders, cultures, ethnicities, age
groups and socioeconomic classes.
Additionally, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all
mental illness.
Due
to the serious nature and the wide-ranging affects on Canadians, we feel
strongly further studies should have be undertaken by the Standing Committee on
Health. While we appreciate a dialogue being opened, we are disappointed that
very little concrete action has been indicated by the report as recently
published and are frustrated by the Committee’s recommendations.
We
implore your office to put Eating Disorders on the Agenda for the upcoming
Joint Provincial, Federal and Territorial meeting of the Ministry of
Health.
Those
with eating disorders, and their families, continue to be negatively impacted
by the lack of resources, research and funding for these illnesses, which have
a high rate of recovery when diagnosed early and treated using evidence-based,
best-practice treatment modalities that include families. It is worth noting
that early diagnosis and aggressive treatment save substantial money when
compared with the high costs associated with the medical complications of
untreated eating disorders.
Three
areas of immediate need are a Pan Canadian Strategy for Eating Disorders, a
National Data Base and strong research programs; currently, the global Anorexia
Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI) cannot be participated in from
Canada—though the U.S., U.K. and Australia are all supporting this important study.
We
look forward to news of a renewed emphasis on finding solutions via the Joint
Provincial, Federal and Territorial meeting of the Ministry of Health and we
are happy to support this effort in any way possible.
Looking forward to adding many Canadian names to this letter. I will fax it to the Ministers office and mail a paper copy. I hope to do this no later than December 10 2014 so it arrives prior to the seasonal break.
ReplyDeletePlease add my name if it is not too late. Karen Patte, Toronto, Ontario
ReplyDelete