Presidential Documents

14561 

Federal Register 

Vol. 89, No. 40 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 10702 of February 23, 2024 

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 2024 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we shine a light on 

these serious health conditions, which impact nearly 1 in 10 people across 

America, and reaffirm our commitment to improving access to mental health 

services, treatment, recovery, and support. 

Eating disorders are serious and life-threatening, but with early intervention, 

a full recovery is possible. Unfortunately, the stigmatization experienced 

by people struggling with eating disorders often prevents them from seeking 

health care and support. When left untreated, eating disorders can have 

devastating effects on the human body. Each of us has the power to show 

compassion to those who are struggling, help break down the barriers standing in the way of recovery, and create a culture that treats everyone with 

dignity and respect. 

My Administration is taking action to support all those living with eating 

disorders. Federal agencies such as the National Institute of Mental Health 

have been working to improve the detection and prevention of eating disorders so we can save lives by developing effective therapies and interventions. Through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and funding for the National Center of Excellence for Eating 

Disorders, we are working to expand access to new tools and trainings 

for health care providers, families, caregivers, and community members so 

they can better detect and treat eating disorders. We are helping schools 

hire more mental health counselors, social workers, and nurses to make 

sure that young people have the support they need to live full and healthy 

lives. 

At its core, tackling the mental health crisis is about providing hope. That 

is why my Administration is investing billions of dollars to improve access 

to mental health services, helping people get the care they deserve. Across 

the United States, we are expanding the number of Certified Community 

Behavioral Health Clinics that provide 24/7 care regardless of a person’s 

ability to pay. We are expanding training for health care professionals; 

integrating mental health services into primary care settings; improving coverage of mental health conditions; strengthening enforcement of parity laws; 

and addressing the harms of bullying and social media that fuel eating 

disorders, depression, and self-harm. 

As Americans, we have a duty to reach out to one another and leave 

no one behind. Let us extend a helping hand to those struggling with 

an eating disorder and ensure that they have access to the treatment they 

deserve. This week, we recommit to showing compassion and empowering 

our fellow Americans to ask for help when they need it. For those in 

need of support, visit samhsa.gov/find-support or call the SAMHSA National 

Helpline at 1–800–662–4357 for confidential, free, 24-hours-a-day, 365-daysa-year information and referral services. For anyone experiencing a crisis, 

immediate and confidential help is also available by calling or texting 988, 

the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 


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14562 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2024 / Presidential Documents 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 26 through 

March 3, 2024, as National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. I encourage 

citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, 

and other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness 

of what Americans can do to prevent eating disorders and that will improve 

access to care and other support services for those currently living with 

an eating disorder. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third 

day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and 

of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 

and forty-eighth. 

[FR Doc. 2024–04258 

Filed 2–27–24; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3395–F4–P 


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