a little bit of history...
The Eating Disorder Centre of SSMU (previously called the Eating Disorder Resource and Support Centre and Safely Connected McGill), began as a student-led movement to create community based support services, education, change and advocacy on McGill campus for eating disorders, disordered eating and body image issues. In 2019, the SSMU VP (Student Life) Cody Esterle ran the first student-run Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) to raise awareness and involvement with these topics and begin a national campaign to create trauma-informed, inclusive, and anti-oppressive eating disorder care and conversations on college campuses.
EDAW was followed by a plan developed by VP Esterle, Paloma Hepler and other invested students to develop what is now Safely Connected McGill, officially becoming a service in March 2020.
The EDCSSMU is a chapter of Safely Connected, The Eating Disorder Centre, a not-for-profit dedicated to advancing the campaign mentioned above. The organization is a volunteer and staff-run organization committed to providing University Campuses such as McGill University with support services, advocacy efforts, events and information regarding eating disorders, disordered eating and body image issues. The organization also provides a variety of training to change the current treatment and support environment for anyone with disordered eating, body image issues or eating disorders accessing care. SC and its chapters aim to be an anti-ableist, anti-racist and anti-colonialist, fat- and body-positive, body-neutral, weight-neutral, queer, gender non conforming and trans-inclusive organizations.