In conjunction with Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2026, Silver Linings Foundation partnered with the University of Calgary and The Hunter Family Foundation to host the first Alberta Eating Disorder Summit.

The event was designed with a clear goal: Bring together eating disorder professionals, researchers, policymakers, and lived-experience voices in Alberta to share knowledge, identify gaps, and build a collaborative community with the aim of increasing access and improving overall care. 

Eating disorders combine psychological, physical, and societal factors requiring a specialized and nuanced approach. Nearly 30% of Canadians are at risk of developing disordered eating behaviours, yet formal education in eating disorder care is severely lacking. 

Eating disorders are uniquely complex conditions that straddle the line between mental and physical health challenges. For clinicians, this overlap can create a maze of interdependent issues to address.

Safe spaces are the foundation of effective eating disorder treatment. When clients feel secure and respected, they are more likely to share honestly about their struggles.

Eating disorders in BIPOC populations are frequently under-diagnosed and under-treated due to misconceptions about who these disorders affect. In addition to systemic biases, cultural norms, stigmas and misunderstandings around mental health can prevent individuals from seeking help when they need it most.

On top of the common challenges with eating disorders, LGBTQIA+ people can face societal stigma, discrimination, lack of affirming care, and unique cultural pressures related to body image within LGBTQIA+ subcultures.

Neurodivergent individuals have an increased risk of developing eating disorders, often for reasons tied to sensory sensitivities, difficulties with emotional regulation, and other existing mental health conditions. We're creating an eating disorder training course for clinicians to help expand their knowledge and expertise in eating disorder care.

Eating disorders are among the most challenging mental health conditions to treat, yet many mental health professionals feel underprepared to address eating disorders due to the limitations of general mental health training.

Eating disorders often go unnoticed until they become severe, making early detection a critical step in effective treatment. Subtle signs and red flags are frequently missed during general assessments, delaying intervention and potentially worsening outcomes for clients.