Description

People of any age, race, gender, size, or background can be struggling with eating disorders. Eating disorders are deadly, and at least 1 million Canadians have a diagnosable condition. According to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), eating disorders have “the second highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, second to opioid addiction.” It is not uncommon for those with an eating disorder to struggle with other mental health diagnoses or substance issues, as well. 

Eating disorders may develop as maladaptive coping skills for mental health diagnoses, however, mental health issues may also develop as a result of eating disorder behaviors. Regardless, understanding the relationship between eating disorders and concurrent issues is key to effective diagnosis and treatment of the individual.

Join Cheryl Fiske, Clinical Director at Bellwood Health Services, on Thursday,  November 9th between 12-1pm EST as she further explains eating disorders and their relations with addictions. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

•Overview of concurrent eating disorders and addiction 

•Review concurrent treatment at Bellwood Health Services 

•Discuss ongoing care needs 

•Opportunities for learning and knowledge translation

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Cheryl Fiske

Cheryl has earned a Master of Science in Health Administration, a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She holds Certified Health Executive and Registered Occupational Therapist designations.

Cheryl has worked across the continuum of care in mental health and addictions including roles as an Occupational Therapist and psychotherapist in acute and residential adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, early psychosis intervention, and transitional aged youth outpatient services.

She has held leadership roles in a residential adolescent eating disorders setting, as a project manager implementing a mental health and addictions strategy in primary care, in acute general medicine, and in geriatric rehabilitation and palliative care. She has also helped to inform provincial strategy initiatives for individuals with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders and mental health transitions in care.

As the Clinical Director at Bellwood, it is Cheryl’s responsibility to direct clinical services programming by leading strategic initiatives focused on providing evidence based best practices in mental health and addictions care.

In her spare time Cheryl likes to travel, spend time with friends, family, and her dog Jake, enjoys riding horses, and photography.