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BEAT Eating Disorders

  • The UK’s eating disorder charity, founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, has a mission to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.

    Their national Helpline exists to encourage and empower people to seek help quickly, recognising that early treatment greatly improves the chance of recovery. People can contact them online or by phone. They listen, help individuals understand the illness, and support them in taking positive steps towards recovery. They also provide guidance to family and friends, equipping them with essential skills and advice so they can support their loved ones while also looking after their own mental health. In addition, they campaign to increase knowledge among healthcare and other relevant professionals, and advocate for better funding for high‑quality treatment, ensuring that when people are ready to take vital steps towards recovery, the right help is available.

What to Expect

If you contact the Helpline, you will speak to a trained advisor experienced in providing support, information and signposting to people in a similar situation to you. Their helpline is action focused, giving you a space to explore your concerns and identify next steps.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to use our Helpline.

Helpline advisors are trained to:

  • Offer a supportive space for you to explore your feelings and thoughts around eating disorders.
  • Provide information about eating disorders. When they do not have the information that someone is looking for, they might be able to give you some ideas about who might be able to help.
  • Explore options for help with eating disorders and to enable you to come to your own decisions about what might be best for you. This might include NHS treatment, private therapy, support from charitable organisations, peer support or self-help.

How to refer into the service

Helplines are open from 3pm – 8pm, Monday to Friday.
0808 801 0677

Support on the Helpline is available by phone, email, webchat through social media accounts and by letter. Calls to the helpline are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and do not appear on itemised bills.

To enable as many people to be supported as possible, calls will last up to 30 minutes. The advisor will let you know 5 minutes before the end so they can summarise your action plan. Sometimes lines are busy. If you can't get through immediately, please do try again or try the one-to-one web chat or send an email.