Resources
The EDCSSMU website hosts a variety of resources for eating disorders, general mental health, and more. Our on-campus library contains numerous books, from historical non-fiction to memoirs, available for Montreal residents to borrow.
Advocacy
The EDCSSMU hosts a number of events and workshops throughout the year in order to enhance awareness of, provide support for, and eradicate stigma about eating disorders in University settings.
Support
The EDCSSMU organizes monthly peer support groups aimed at providing a safer space for individuals to share their experiences in a community setting. We also operate an online text-based platform for users to chat with peers.
Support Services
The EDCSSMU provides free resources for anyone who needs support for eating disorders, body image issues, self-esteem, and more.
Our services are confidential, non-judgmental, and based in harm reduction. No diagnosis is necessary – our services are available to all.
Our volunteers are not medical professionals and our services are not intended to replace medical care. We do not diagnose or treat eating disorders; we aim to provide support, guidance, and a sense of community for those in need.
Group Support
Facilitated by two trained volunteers, our support groups are non-directional, non-judgmental, inclusive, and confidential.
They are meant to be safer spaces for individuals to share their experiences with eating disorders, body image issues, self-esteem, and more.
One-on-One Support
Peer-to-Peer Connections is a virtual messaging platform that allows for individualized and self-directed support.
Paired with two trained volunteers, users can receive feedback and resources to help them understand their feelings and experiences.
Interested in getting involved with the centre?
Volunteer With Us!
All volunteers receive training on the centre’s mandates and our approach to community-centric and non-judgmental eating disorder peer support.
The time commitment for each role varies, but is generally around 2-4 hours a week.
Platform Volunteers
- Support users on Mentorcity
- Outreach to campus and community.
Support Group Volunteers
- Facilitate monthly support groups
- Outreach to campus and community.
Events Volunteers
- Outreach and interview speakers;
- Organize and plan event content;
- Fundraise and advertise events.
Communications Volunteers
- Create promotional content;
- Help increase our online presence;
- Outreach to campus and community.
We are not currently accepting new volunteers. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on volunteer opportunities!
Events
Every year, the EDCCSMU hosts a number of events, workshops, and activities for the McGill and broader Montreal community.
Our events range from conferences and workshops to dance classes and movie nights. We strive to organize a variety of events that are educational, fun, and represent diverse needs and interests.
Our main events are our annual Eating Disorder Awareness Week Conference and our zine launch.
Training for Student Groups
The EDCSSMU offers free training to student services and groups across Montreal.
Our training is for those who wish to improve the ways they address eating disorders, diet/fitness culture, fatphobia, and white supremacy in their programs and services. It explores topics such as the normalization of eating disorders and diet culture on university campuses; the impacts of racism and marginalization on mental health, and eating disorders as coping mechanisms.
The content is flexible and tailored to the needs of those requesting it. We also provide training on active listening, harm reduction, and on providing peer support for eating disorders.
News & Blog
Our blog features personal blogs, strategy guides for coping with eating disorders, interviews with the founders of Safely Connected and much more. Feel free to read through it!
Runaway Model
MellowDramma is a queer Haitian-Canadian poet and published author.
“Runaway Model” is an original poem that exposes the harms of diet and purity culture experienced by women and femmes in the beauty industry.
An Interview with Cody Esterle
A look at the landscape of accessibility, diversity, and accommodation in post-secondary education, and what it means to be safely connected to a community that is supportive and inclusive.
forgiveness & recovery
Toolkit for dealing with the many transitions ED recovery can entail, and emphasizing the importance of being forgiving in doing so.
supporting a Loved One with an ED
Tips and suggestions for supporting a loved one who is struggling with an eating disorder, diet/fitness culture, negative body image , and more.