At Silver Linings Foundation, we know recovery is possible and often affirm, “Recovery is possible with the right support.”. Last week I wrote about the difference between treatment and recovery, and today I want to focus on the barriers that can prevent people from even starting on the path to recovery. I believe as care providers, it’s our responsibility to help remove as many barriers as possible, in order to lessen the load of an already arduous journey. Here are some of the most significant barriers I've discovered that can prevent people from even beginning their recovery journey.

1. Stigma
Stigma is one of the most significant barriers to seeking help for eating disorders. These pervasive and unhelpful beliefs about who develops eating disorders, their causes, and their severity can undermine even the strongest resolve to seek help. When left unchallenged, stigma shapes self-perception and impacts behaviour. It can manifest through beliefs such as:

• “My condition isn’t serious enough to get help”
• “People like me don’t get eating disorders
• “I should have outgrown this by now.”

Understanding stigma and how it can impact different people from different walks of life, is imperative to providing informed care. Prioritising psychological safety starts with fostering an environment where people feel emotionally secure enough to engage, even when it feels daunting. The way we communicate needs to demonstrate respect and reverence for their humanity, identity, and individuality, and in doing so proving that we can be trusted to support them.

2. Access to Care
Even when someone is ready to seek help, logistical and financial barriers can prevent access to care. Financial issues are an obvious barrier, but subtler challenges such as time constraints, limited service availability, and inflexible programming can also be deterrents. Programming should be adaptable and inclusive, offering options like sliding scale fees, different scheduling options, virtual accessibility, telehealth, and in person community support. Providing varied pathways to care can help reduce stressors on individuals already managing the complexities of recovery. Flexible care models can make all the difference to someone deciding whether to reach out.

3. Mental Health Literacy and Personal Factors
A strong understanding of eating disorders and the recovery process is essential for both clients and providers. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to seek support due to a lack of confidence or awareness of how to advocate for themselves. Providers can bridge this gap by integrating skills training into their programs, helping clients build the tools needed to seek help and communicate effectively. Personal factors like hope and identity also play a crucial role. Individuals often feel defined by their disorder, disconnected from who they truly are. Recovery should be positioned not only as the end of suffering but as a journey toward a richer, more fulfilling life. Providers should guide clients to envision and work toward life beyond their disorder, rebuilding their identities and nurturing hope.

4. Knowledge and Skills of Health Professionals
Health professionals are more than service providers; they are allies on the path to recovery. Effective care hinges on a blend of expertise, empathy, and consistency. Professionals must be trained to understand the complexities of eating disorders and to respond with genuine compassion. Continuous learning and development ensure that providers remain equipped to offer nuanced, empathetic care. A supportive, knowledgeable professional can create a safe space where individuals feel understood and encouraged. This foundation of trust is essential for effective recovery.

Those seeking help for eating disorder recovery are already bravely navigating internal and external challenges. In many ways, the recovery journey will never be without hurdles, but barriers are different. Barriers impede someone’s progress. We can, as care providers, remove as many of these as we can. With thoughtful attention to stigma, access, literacy, and professional skill, we can make recovery not just a distant possibility but an attainable reality for everyone.

Barriers exist in every sector, and I’m curious what strategies you are using to break them down and better support your clients?

Warmly,

Corinne