During these unsettling times, stress and anxiety can increase, which can make it more difficult to focus on eating disorder recovery. Fortunately, more organizations around the country are offering free virtual support groups for individuals and family members, which opens up opportunities for Alaskans to get support from their homes almost every day of the week. This page provides information on support groups, meal and snack support, helpful apps and other information. Be sure to check the time zones and adapt for Alaska time. Please contact us at info@akeatingdisordersalliance.org if  you know of other information we should add. A big thanks to NEDA for helping gather information on virtual support groups and other resources. 

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For other timely information you can sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media: 

• Newsletter

• Instagram @akeatingdisordersalliance

• Facebook @Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance

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Stay strong, stay healthy and know that you are not alone.

Please note that the Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance does not provide or specifically endorse the support groups listed below, except for the AKEDA Families and Friends Support Group.  It is up to you to determine the right group for you. It is also important to note that these groups are not a substitute for professional treatment.  

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Alaska Based

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AKEDA Family and Friends Support Group

The Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance offers a confidential Family and Friends Support Group the third Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Alaska time. held via Zoom. All are welcome. For Zoom information and resources, please register here. 

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Alaska Peer-Led Support Group for Individuals

A peer-led Alaska-based group for individuals 18+ who are struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder is held every Monday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00  p.m. Alaska Time.  For more information, contact Cassie at edgroupak@gmail.com

 

NAMI Alaska

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Alaska offers various virtual support groups for family members and for any adult (18+) who lives with a mental health condition, regardless of diagnosis. Sign up for an account and register for meetings at www.supportgroupscentral.com/NMAK

 

 

Outside of Alaska

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Chats in the Living Room

Saturday mornings, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Alaska Time

 

Each Saturday, a different professional across the eating disorder field leads a free virtual discussion and answers questions for those who are seeking support, connection, healing and growth during these challenging times. Hosted by Sondra Kronberg, MS, RD, CDN, CEDRD. Click here for more information and to register for the Saturday groups. For virtual professionally led, low-fee support groups on parenting, intuitive eating, older adults, teens and meal support click here.

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Eating Disorder Foundation Support Groups

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time

 

The Eating Disorder Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, offers free, virtual eating disorders support groups from Monday through Saturday for Families and Friends, Individuals 18+, Men, LGBTQ+, Adolescents,  Individuals 30+, Individuals 50+,  and Trans & Non-Binary. The EDF is a free, non-clinical resource in Colorado that is accessible to everyone, regardless of income, insurance, health status, weight, diagnosis, race, gender, or sexual identity. Please note that groups are capped at a certain number of attendees to ensure a supportive environment. For more information and to register, visit https://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/get-help/support-groups/

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Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness Support Groups

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time

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The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, a 501c3 nonprofit, provides free, virtual therapist-led support group services for Family and Friends, Pro-Recovery Individuals 18+, and LGBTQ+ Pro-Recovery. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/recovery-programs-and-support/

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ANAD Support Groups

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time and Pacific Standard Time

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The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, offers support general support groups for people struggling with eating disorders and specific groups for LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Older Teens, Older Adults, Teen & Young Adult, and People in Larger Bodies. Visit https://anad.org/online-support-groups/

 

Ophelia’s Place

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time

 

Ophelia's Place is a 501c3 nonprofit that offers virtual weekly support groups for individuals who are seeking recovery from an eating disorder, disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. In addition, they offer a weekly online community and conversation about our bodies, our authentic beauty, and how we can live boldly as our true selves. For their Thursday support group for adults with eating disorders or for more information visit: https://www.opheliasplace.org/support-services​

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Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time

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MEDA, a 501 c3 nonprofit, offers fee based (8) week courses led by Masters Level Therapists and free drop-in groups that are peer led. For the fee based groups receipts can be provided for insurance reimbursement; and financial assistance is available. The multi-week groups are for female identifying and non-binary, male identifying and non-binary, large bodies, binge eating disorder recovery, 13-17 years old, body image, and for those struggling to move forward with recovery. The free drop-in groups are Mondays for Families and Friends and groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays for individuals of all genders in recovery. For more information on joining a group, contact  call (617) 558-1881 or visit https://www.medainc.org/services/heal/medas-recovery-groups/

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Eating Recovery Center

Time Zone: Mountain Daylight/Standard Time

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Eating Recovery Center (ERC) offers free, trained facilitator-led, support groups for those struggling with eating disorders (including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and other disordered eating issues). ERC also offers some support groups for families and caregivers. These support groups provide support, resources and education on eating disorder treatment and recovery. Groups include Family and Caregiver Support, Mid-Day Eating Disorders Support, General Support, College Student/Early Adult Support, Binge Eating Support, Addictive Behavior Skills, Mental Health Support, LGBTQ+,  and Clinicians in Recovery. For more information, visit https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/support-groups

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F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders)

F.E.A.S.T. is a global support and education community of and for parents of those with eating disorders.

https://www.feast-ed.org/

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Project HEAL 

Project HEAL provides free, impartial, culturally-competent, and compassionate 1-hour phone assessments to anyone in the U.S. who believes they (or their child) might have an eating disorder. They will receive comprehensive 8+ page document with diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and referrals. We will also offer enrollment to one of our other three programs if applicable.

https://www.theprojectheal.org/clinical-assessment

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Other Helpful Resource on Eating Disorders

MSW (Masters in Social Work) Degrees has compiled "A Comprehensive Guide to Eating Disorders and How to Help"
https://www.mswdegrees.org/resources/eating-disorders

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Check out these apps that promote positive mental health, stress management and mindfulness. Thanks to Stay Strong Virginia for these tips!

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• What's Up is an amazing free app that uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) methods to help cope with depression, anxiety, stress and more. 

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• Smiling Mind  is Australia's leading free prevention focussed mental health wellbeing app. Developed by psychologists and educators, and offers daily mindfulness and meditation.

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• Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Discover a happier, healthier you through meditations, sleep stories, music and more.

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• Headspace  is everyday mindfulness and meditation so you can make mindfulness a daily habit and be kind to your mind. Get guided meditation courses and mindfulness exercises.

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