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Health and Wellbeing

Having Brave Conversations That Matter about Eating Disorders/Eating Difficulties

Find the words for that first worried conversation about eating, and keep the door open even if the young person walks away.

  • 30 minutes
  • 1 module
  • 0.5 CPD hours
  • Certificate

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What you'll learn

  • Listen without planning your reply, and give silences room
  • Open with what you've noticed, without accusing or mentioning weight
  • Avoid phrases that add to shame, from 'just eat' to empty reassurance
  • Be honest about confidentiality while keeping the young person's trust
  • Understand why a young person may resist help, and offer hope that recovery is possible

About this course

You've noticed something and you're worried, but raising it feels as if it could make things worse. What if you say the wrong thing? What if they shut down?

Counsellors use listening skills any adult can borrow, like letting silences sit instead of rushing to fill them, and checking you've understood ('let me see if I've got this right'). Say what you've noticed rather than what you suspect, and make it clear there's nothing they could tell you that would change how you see them. Steer clear of 'just eat', 'one more bite' and comments about how they look. Even kind lines like 'you're perfect the way you are' can leave a young person feeling more alone.

If the conversation doesn't go to plan, it still counts. They now know someone noticed and cares, and they may come back when they're ready.

  • For early career teachers, middle leaders and 4 other roles. Secondary.

1 module

  1. Having brave conversations that matter about eating disorders/eating difficulties

    30 min