National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) Week is a national, annual campaign to raise awareness about eating disorders, challenge stigma, and provide hope and support to all those impacted. This year, NEDA Week takes place February 23–March 1 with the theme Every BODY Belongs.
Eating disorders affect more than 30 million Americans across all ages, sizes, races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Yet many people are never accurately diagnosed or supported due to misinformation, stigma, and barriers to care. Despite increased conversations around mental health, eating disorders remain widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed.
Eating disorders are serious, complex medical and mental health conditions influenced by genetics, biology, trauma, stress, and environment. They are not choices. Many individuals living with eating disorders appear “fine” on the outside, living their daily lives while silently struggling inside. Eating disorders can damage self-esteem and body-esteem and lead to poor quality of life. Outside of opioid dependence, this illness has the highest death rate of any psychiatric illness.
NEDA Week encourages open, honest conversations about disordered eating and body image. It helps people recognize their own struggles or the struggles of loved ones and challenges harmful diet culture messages that equate worth with weight, shape, or size.
Unfortunately, many individuals delay seeking help due to fear of judgment, lack of access to specialized care, financial and insurance barriers, or the belief that they are “not sick enough.” These barriers can be life-threatening. Early support and treatment can and does save lives.
This week is a reminder to anyone struggling that recovery is possible. With the appropriate support, individuals can reclaim a healthy relationship with food, movement, and their bodies.
To celebrate NEDA week please take advantage of the free resources and events listed below:
In person event local to Rochester, NY:
Voices of Hope: An Afternoon of Art, Alumni, and Awareness
A NEDA Week Community Gathering
A collaborative event hosted by the WNY Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders, The Healing Connection, and the WNY Eating Disorder Community Advisory Board.
This year, partners will bring the community together for one large, high‑impact gathering featuring:
- Lived experience and alumni storytelling
- Visual art and poetry displays
- Music performances- Morgan Twins, Shimi, and more
- Resource tables and community education
- Artwork for purchase from local creators & give aways
- Opportunities for connection, conversation, and healing
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026 @ 12-4PM
Location: Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC)
161 Chestnut Street Rochester, NY 14604
Virtual opportunities during NEDA week:
Date: Tuesday, February 24th, 2-3PM EST
Athlete Lived Experience Panel
Topics include seeking help, balancing health and performance, and creating safer, more supportive athletic environments. This discussion is ideal for athletes, coaches, clinicians, and advocates committed to fostering a culture where Every BODY Belongs.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y-F0okCKQpKlSGRyrESepA
Date: Wednesday, February 25th, 2-2:30PM EST
Learning Session: Beyond Willpower: Understanding the Psychology of Emotional Eating
The 30 minute session helps participants understand the difference between biological hunger and emotional coping, build greater awareness of their relationship with food, and access resources for disordered eating support.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BVxWOLh8SIWje-HNjGKoWg
Date: Thursday, February 26th, 12-1PM EST
Webinar: Beyond the Behavior: Trauma, Culture, and Emotional Avoidance in Eating Disorders and Mental Health
Participants will learn culturally and trauma-informed assessment strategies to distinguish disordered behaviors from culturally normative practices while centering clients’ lived experiences.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XIOxb-0BR7C6i_FMGksLxA
Date: Saturday, February 28th – All day virtual events!
Hosted by NEDA
Support groups offered include: Pro-Recovery, Friends & Family, LGBTQ+ Pro-Recovery, BIPOC, Chronic Illness, Meal Support, ED & Substance Use Disorders, Individuals in the Military, ED & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Mid-Life & Beyond, Parents/Guardians in Recovery, and more!
Register here: https://www.notonemore.co/day-of-support
Date: Sunday, March 1st – 6PM EST
Hosted by NEDA
Stories of Hope & Recovery: Panel Discussion with Facilitators of Lived Experience
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CSwArY2NT_enG-cMncerIA#/registration
The Renfrew Center is sharing educational and advocacy tools in addition to live and on demand webinars: https://renfrewcenter.com/edaw-2026/
The National Eating Disorders Association is offering materials and support resources: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaw/
Local community resources:
The Emilee Connection which is a free, nonprofit organization that provides education, community connection and support groups for adults struggling with an eating disorder. There is also a support group for family and loved ones to help learn how to support the individual in their life who is impacted by an eating disorder. Please visit their website to learn more and see upcoming events: https://theemileeconnection.com/events
The Western NY Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (WNYCCCED) serves as the hub for eating disorder services in Western New York. The services offered are free of charge and include: access to information, referral and eating disorder treatment services, outreach and education to community members and professionals, parent peer mentoring, young adult peer mentoring and life coaching.
Please visit their website to learn more: https://www.nyeatingdisorders.org/about-us.html
The Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Program at Golisano Children’s Hospital provides both inpatient and outpatient care for adolescents and young adults. Additional education, readings and resources are available on their website.
Monte Nido, which has a location in Victor, NY provides residential care for individuals who would benefit from access to 24/7 care in the comfort of a home-like environment. Learn more about what this level of care consists of through their website.
The Healing Connection provides a higher level of care option through their partial hospitalization program consisting of an adolescent track and an adult track. The Healing Connection provides an opportunity for those individuals who need a step down from hospitalization or residential treatment; or those who seek more support from outpatient providers. Learn more about this program: https://www.thehealingconnectioninc.org/about-us-1
To learn more about eating disorders please visit previous blog posts:
Sources: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/
