The EDCSSMU holds a series of events every year for the McGill and Montreal community around eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image issues. These types are of five different types:
- Research
- Therapeutic
- Informational
- Awareness Raising
They are held in different formats such as panels, workshops, roundtables, art nights and more.
We hold events for Mental Illness Awareness Week (the first week of October), Mental Health Action Week (In January) and Eating Disorder Awareness Week (first week of February) every year! Follow our social media @mcgilleatingdisordercentre (Instagram) , and @safelyconnectedmcgill (Facebook) to find the information and links to these!
General Events 2022
On February 22nd, 2023 the Eating Disorder Centre of SSMU hosted a conference for Eating Disorder Awareness Week with a variety of professionals, organizations, and students coming together to discuss various forms of ED care, lived experiences, and research. The conference events included a workshop, panel, speed networking and booths from our sponsors, and a research showcase from the McGill BEEP Lab. The workshop was lead by the centre’s own Natasha Kamara and Yuvika Dandiwal. The panel included representatives from SOOMA nutrition, Sex and Self, ANEB Quebec, and a local wellness advisor. In the middle of the day, we had a complimentary lunch provided by the wonderful Midnight Kitchen. After lunch, students had the opportunity to speed network and explore our sponsorship booths. We ended the day with a showcase from researchers at the McGill Biopsychosocial Examination of Eating Patterns (BEEP) Laboratory. We also had a table with art supplies to give attendees the opportunity to take a break, decompress, and create some art. The conference had 120 sign ups and over 100 attendees throughout the day.
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This event took place on November 16th, 2022 and was an opportunity for people to hang out, de-stress, and create artwork for our upcoming 2023 Zine! Attendees were able to create content for the zine, or just relax and express themselves.
This research event took place on October 6th, 2022, and featured PhD candidate Alexia Miller, who is conducting research on the co-occurence of Borderline Personality Disorder and Eating Disorders. The event explored the relationships and impacts of borderline personality disorder on various eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image issues. Alexia provided insight into her work and the diagnostic overlap between Eating Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder. Unfortunately, due to issues with our recording equipment, we do not have a recording of this event.
Content warning: This event mentions behaviours related to eating disorders and disordered eating that could be distressing for some viewers….. Please do not watch if you do not feel this would be supportive to your recovery. If you are in need of support, please reach out to our peer support service., support groups, or if you are in need of urgent support call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
This was a panel style event that discussed resources, strategies, and information that students can access within the McGill and Montreal community to treat and manage eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image in the university context. Speakers included Christina Rajkumar, Yara Coussa, and Liam Fowler.
Unfortunately, the video quality is not up to our usual standards. However, we are still choosing to provide open access to the recording despite technological difficulties.
This event took place on September 12, 2022.
Content warning: This event mentions content regarding disordered eating, treatment experiences, and other mental health challenges that could be distressing to certain viewers. If you are watching this and are in need of support, please reach out to our peer support service., support groups, or if you are in need of urgent support call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
Helpful links: Resources (1)
This event took place on January 29, 2022.
The EDRSC and Fed-Up Collective collaborated in this panel event, where members Marissa, Syd, Oliver, and Mac will share their experiences being trans or intersex person who has experienced an eating disorder or has conducted research in the field. Fed-Up Collective aims to spearhead the movement of marginalized communities by organizing and advocating for more accessible, affordable, and culturally competent ED treatment. In this event they talked through how we can achieve this through research, media visibility, intersectionality-educated and gender literate ED professionals, and financially viable treatment options. The speakers also shared their personal experience with ED recovery as a trans and/or intersex person, and their experiences helping others.
Content warning: This event mentions substance abuse, self harm, binging/purging, and other behaviours related to eating disorders and mental illness that could be distressing for some viewers….. Please do not watch if you do not feel this would be supportive to your recovery. If you are in need of support, please reach out to our peer support service., support groups, or if you are in need of urgent support call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
This event occurred on February 2, 2022.
Content warning: We understand that everyone has different triggers and that this event contains sensitive topics. This event mentions content regarding compulsive exercise, bulimia nervosa, eating disorders, and disordered eating that could be distressing to certain viewers. If you are watching this and are in need of support, please reach out to our peer support services., support groups, or if you are in need of urgent support call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
This event took place on February 3, 2022.
Content warning: This event contains reference to colonial violence and disordered eating that could be distressing for some viewers. If you are watching this and are in need of support, please reach out to our peer support services., support groups, or if you are in need of urgent support call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
This event occurred on February 5, 2022.
Mental Illness Awareness Week 2021
The EDRSC and our two guests HK and Lydia do a podcast-style event on eating disorders and structural oppression. They will explore the ways that structural forces of oppression influence our culture’s fraught relationship to eating and our bodies, and how individual paths towards recovery are inextricably connected to larger struggles for collective liberation.
HK Jackson is an artist and writer living in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal, Canada), whose practice examines the limitations and potential of art as a force towards collective liberation. She also works as an educator, designing and teaching workshops for youth about harm-reduction, mental illness and supporting survivors of sexual violence.
Lydia Okello is a non-binary, queer, fat writer, model and digital creator. They are based in so-called Vancouver, on unceded Musqueam Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh land. They have been creating content related to personal style and identity since starting a blog in 2008.
The recording for this event can be found by clicking the download button below!
Supporting Loved Ones Event
On November 28th 2021, the EDRSC had an event on what it means to support a loved one struggling with disordered eating. Regardless of the relationship, the supporter role can be confusing and taxing. We hope this event acts as a resource for finding clarity and strategies for caring.