Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Stories of Recovery

The factors that can lead someone to develop an eating disorder are broad and diverse. Even one individual may experience a mix of 'causes'.

In this Stories of Recovery session, we'll hear from a mixed panel of people who have recovered from an eating disorder, as well as a carer and a clinician.

We will cover:

• Making sense of how eating disorders can develop, and helpful protective factors.

• For those with lived experience: positive things others did in the recovery journey.

• What we wish more people knew about eating disorders to help break stereotypes.

Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week (BIEDAW) is an annual week to raise awareness of eating disorders.

Speakers

• Tharindu Jayadeva (he/him) is a lived experience advocate and health promotion professional, striving to work towards systems of care that uphold human rights, dignity and cultural humility. He brings his experience of navigating eating disorder services as a young person of colour into his work and in showcasing the collective strength of community.

• Lumen Gorrie (they/them) is a queer, trans, multiply neurodivergent, chronically ill, disabled person with lived experience of eating disorder recovery. They are committed to equity, disability justice, and systemic change, and work to improve support for marginalised folk with eating disorders as an advocate, speaker, educator, clinical psychologist, supervisor, and founder of the Appetite for Change Project.

• Jeanette Slaney (she/her) is a mum and carer to two daughters who were each diagnosed with anorexia nervosa through very different paths, both in a rural setting. By sharing her family’s journey, she sheds light on the gaps in support and hopes to reassure others facing similar challenges that they’re not alone—and that recovery is possible.

• Prof Leah Brennan (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist and researcher in rural Victoria, focused on psychological aspects of eating, weight and body image. She is passionate about improving real-world access to treatments that work, and supporting services to generate evidence for the important work they do.

• MC: Ming Lei (she/her) is a Stories of Recovery ambassador for EDV who is passionate about challenging the stigma surrounding eating disorders and driving change so that the full diversity of people affected is properly represented and understood in Australia. In her day-to-day, she is an Organisational Change Manager and Pilates instructor, helping people feel supported through change—whether in a workplace or in a gym.

Who is this event for?

Everyone is welcome! Whether you're experiencing an eating disorder, supporting someone who is, you're a professional, or are just interested to learn more.

You're welcome to participate in a way that feels comfortable for you. You will have the option to ask questions in the registration form and/or on the day. You will not be required to turn on your camera or microphone.

NOTE: It’s a privilege to hear someone’s personal story. Please be considerate with the questions you ask, and be mindful that other attendees may be currently experiencing an eating disorder.

Where is this event?

This event is happening online via Zoom. We will send the Zoom link the day before.

How much does this event cost?

It's totally free!

Accessibility

This session runs for 90 minutes, with a 5-minute break in the middle.

We will have auto-generated captions.

A tech crew will be on hand to help you with any issues.

You can also tell us anything you need to help you participate in the registration form.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this event, please contact engagement@EatingDisorders.org.au.