An Eating Disorder is a Mental Health Illness. Be Kind.

What a great theme for The Mental Health Foundation to select for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

If ever we needed to talk about ‘kindness’, it’s now.

In the midst of a pandemic, and as relationships and friendships and professional communications are changed far beyond that which any of us might have anticipated, the very act of ‘being kind’ has really shone out across society.

So often, we’re all too busy going about our daily lives, worrying about our commitments, deadlines and personal needs, that we can forget what small gestures and conversations could deliver kindness into the world of another.

If Covid has done one thing of great positive impact, it’s that it has shown us all the power of collective kindness, and how easy it is to bring an act of giving into our worlds.

Within the Wednesday’s Child community, we’ve consistently heard about the acts of kindness carried out by those with eating disorders, and FOR those with eating disorders.

It’s those gestures, activities and conversations which have kept everyone going so far…and will continue to do so.

Of course, what so many of us end up pondering in these strange times, is just how much our ‘changed society’ will continue to operate in this more friendly and empathetic way, or whether indeed there will be a move back to the lives we all once knew.

It goes without saying that we’re truly praying it will be the former, in particular because we’re encouraged by how many more demonstrations of kindness have been shown to those with their own mental health issues.

For such a long time, it was predominantly the case that a devastating illness such as an eating disorder would have been considered as a ‘choice’ or ‘defiant behaviour’.

Thankfully, that stigma is shifting (but yes, there’s still soooo much work to do), and we know more and more people are inclined to be kind and understanding of the battle experienced by another.

While we’re not there for the whole population, we can certainly see a tide shifting in recognition of eating disorders as a mental health issue, and this can only help in the desire to see a greater level of education and support provision.

Today, we want to use this Mental Health Awareness Week theme to thank you for your acts of kindness, and to encourage you to stay mindful of the small and impactful ways you make an impression on the lives of others.

Indeed, we’re so grateful for your kindness (not least the kindness you show to the Wednesday’s Child team) that we’re giving you a themed prize opportunity.

This week we are running a giveaway with a chance to win a Wednesday’s Child ‘kindness box’, both for yourself and someone you know.

To enter, simply head to our Instagram account or Facebook page and follow the instructions in the post.

Thank you. Stay kind.