Each year on World Mental Health Day, the world unites to raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for care as a universal human right. Organized by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the day brings global attention to mental health as a shared priority.

Yet within these critical discussions, one group of mental health conditions often remains left out: eating disorders. These serious mental illnesses affect millions worldwide, but are frequently sidelined. Eating disorders must be part of the general mental health conversation. 

Eating Disorders as Mental Health Conditions

Eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder—are not lifestyle choices. They are severe mental health issues with biological, psychological, and social roots. Eating disorders often co-occur with other mental illnesses, such as trauma, depression, and anxiety.

They have the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition, with someone dying every 52 minutes as a direct result of an eating disorder. Recognizing them as central mental health conditions is essential if World Mental Health Day initiatives are to reflect the full scope of need.

Eating Disorders in Emergencies

The 2025 theme of “Access to Services—Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” has direct relevance for people living with eating disorders. Crises can amplify vulnerability in several ways:

• Disrupted food systems: Catastrophes, such as natural disasters, can destabilize food access. For someone with an eating disorder, this can exacerbate restriction, bingeing, and/or purging behaviors.
  
• Interrupted healthcare: In emergencies, limited resources often mean that eating disorders are deprioritized compared to other conditions. Delays in treatment or loss of access to care can trigger or exacerbate eating disorder behaviors.
  
• Stress and trauma: Catastrophic events are significant stressors. Trauma exposure can increase the onset of eating disorders or worsen existing symptoms.
  
• Social isolation: Emergencies often separate individuals from support networks. Without support groups, families, or consistent care, shame and secrecy can deepen.

In short, when a crisis strikes, eating disorders don’t pause. They intensify—and without continuity of mental health care, recovery can be put at risk.

Human Rights and Access to Services

Access to treatment for eating disorders is not only a medical necessity—it is a human right. On World Mental Health Day 2025, the theme reminds us that this right does not disappear in emergencies.

Emergency planning must include eating disorders in mental healthcare toolkits. That means:

• Training healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to eating disorders, even under pressure.
• Maintaining pathways for psychotherapy and medical monitoring, including through telehealth.
• Ensuring continuity for those already in outpatient or inpatient programs when disasters disrupt services.
• Supporting caregivers and loved ones with resources to sustain recovery at home.

Barriers That Must Be Addressed

Despite growing mental health awareness, people with eating disorders face distinct barriers:

• Stigma: Eating disorders are misunderstood as vanity or willpower problems rather than serious mental illnesses.
  
• Healthcare gaps: In many countries, there’s often a lack of eating disorder-specialized care. During catastrophes, these gaps can widen.
  
• Equity: Marginalized populations already face barriers to mental health services; emergencies only magnify disparities.
  
• Neglect in planning: Few emergency-response protocols explicitly address eating disorders, leaving families without guidance.

On World Mental Health Day, addressing these gaps is part of advancing global mental health care.

Well-Being in the Face of Crisis

This year’s theme also emphasizes protecting mental wellbeing and wellness in emergencies. For those with eating disorders, crises often erode stability and can increase disordered eating behaviors.

True well-being means more than survival—it means having the tools, services, and support to maintain recovery even when the world feels unstable. Integrating eating disorders into World Mental Health Day initiatives ensures that definitions of well-being include everyone.

Advocacy and Action

To align with this year’s theme, here are some key steps forward:

1. Visibility
   Eating disorders must be named in every World Mental Health Day toolkit, campaign, and initiative.
   
2. Preparedness
   Emergency-response systems must integrate eating disorder treatment into mental health care protocols, ensuring no one is left behind.
   
3. Advocacy
   Stronger advocacy is needed to demand funding parity. Eating disorders deserve the same resources as other mental health conditions.
   
4. Support networks
   Communities must build resilient systems: support groups, caregiver resources, and education for loved ones to sustain recovery in crises.

Why This World Mental Health Day Matters

The World Federation for Mental Health and World Health Organization emphasize that mental health services must be accessible everywhere—even during catastrophes. 

This World Mental Health Day 2025, as we focus on access to services in catastrophes and emergencies, we must expand the definition of who is included. Eating disorders are not secondary—they are urgent, life-threatening mental health issues that deserve recognition and resources.

You Are Not Alone

If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, support is available. The Alliance offers free, weekly, therapist-led support groups (virtual and in-person) nationwide, as well as a free, therapist-staffed helpline.

Find support and community today.