It can be difficult to understand how someone who appears so competent could be suffering from such a debilitating emotional disorder. Many people lack a context for understanding eating disorders. Eating disorders are complicated and serious. Only a fully trained therapist should attempt to counsel someone suffering from these disorders. Teachers, however, can play an important role in the healing process.
Teachers are in a position to spot the warning signs of eating disorders.
As caring and informed adults, who see the students on a daily basis, teachers may also play a preventive role by leading classroom exercises that explore issues such as nutrition, body image and self-esteem. As well, teachers can help create school and classroom environments that are particularly sensitive to the needs of students with eating disorders. Above all, this resource is intended to support the classroom teacher who is teaching a student with an eating disorder by providing insight into this complicated health and mental health condition. It addresses the stress that parents of a student with an eating disorder may be feeling. This resource is designed to support teachers in acquiring the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to allow them to feel confident in responding in a positive and proactive manner to students with eating disorders.