How NEDA Transforms Eating Disorder Awareness and Recovery

Eating disorders are serious life-threatening mental illnesses; Almost 10% of Americans will suffer from an eating disorder. It’s the second most deadly mental health condition behind opioid use disorder.

Only 50% of Americans who suffer receive treatment. Medical and mental health providers are not trained to recognize and diagnose it. The costs to families and communities are estimated to be $326 Billion annually. 

But we can win the fight against eating disorders. 

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is at the forefront of education, early intervention, and clinical research. From individuals and families to healthcare providers and educators, NEDA helps people across the country recognize the signs, find support, and navigate the path to recovery.

Holdings is proud to support NEDA’s mission as a committed partner in building a future where no one faces an eating disorder alone. We believe that real impact happens when businesses use their platform to strengthen communities, especially when the issues are urgent and under-recognized.

Beyond the Statistics

Numbers don’t tell the full story. Eating disorders affect nearly 30 million Americans, but each person’s experience is unique. Take Rachel, a new mother who developed an eating disorder postpartum and struggled to find specialized support. Through NEDA, she was connected to care that understood her specific situation.

Recognizing the many paths people with eating disorders and their support networks navigate, NEDA launched the Grace Holland Cozine Resource Center—a trusted space filled with practical guidance, educational tools, and stories from people at all stages of recovery.

Programs for Recovery and Prevention

Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation—and support often begins with access to the right information and resources. NEDA is working to make these resources accessible, sustainable, and responsive to evolving needs:

• Confidential, free online screening tool (for ages 13 and up) connect people with treatment and educational resources. 

• Treatment directory and peer-group resources reduce the guesswork and help people navigate a complex system of care.

• Webinars and toolkits build skills for recovery and provide tailored information for families, educators, and providers.

• Awareness campaigns break down stigma, educate the public, and push for better policies and funding.

More than 1.6 million people access NEDA’s online resources annually. These tools aren’t just informative, they’re often someone’s first step toward healing.

The Power of Community

NEDA’s mission is powered by its community. Across the country, volunteers help organize Care Fairs, local events that bring people together to share resources, learn from experts, and hear stories of hope. On college campuses, student-led Campus Warriors raise awareness, fundraise, and create inclusive spaces for open dialogue and support.

These efforts are more than symbolic, they give individuals an active role in impacting how communities talk about and respond to eating disorders. Many volunteers go on to become clinicians, researchers, or advocates.

Why Support Matters

Eating disorders don’t discriminate, yet too often, they go unrecognized until symptoms become severe. But early intervention makes a difference. Getting help early not only increases the likelihood of full recovery—it can also prevent the illness from becoming chronic and reduce the risk of mortality.

That’s why NEDA is working to redefine and improve the treatment trajectory for millions of Americans by encouraging early identification and treatment. In 2024 alone, more than 110,000 people used NEDA’s online screening tools, with 94% identified as at risk and guided to next steps. These tools help people find clarity and the help they need and deserve. In 2025, NEDA launched a Spanish version of the screening tool.

To further strengthen early detection and treatment efforts, NEDA supports innovation through the Feeding Hope Fund, which has awarded over $2 million in research grants to date—including $225,000 in 2024 focused on gaps in early intervention, clinician education, and eating disorder care.

Get Involved

You don’t need personal experience with an eating disorder to make a difference. NEDA welcomes:

• Community educators

• Care Fair volunteers

• Campus Warriors

• Content creators

• Fundraisers

Everyone has a role to play, whether sharing lived experience, raising funds, or simply amplifying NEDA’s message. 

Conclusion

Holdings stands proudly alongside organizations like NEDA. In supporting their mission, we are choosing to be part of an ecosystem that values people over profit, healing over stigma, and action over apathy. Our partnership isn’t about us; it’s about the hope and transformation possible when communities rally around the most vulnerable.

To everyone who champions NEDA’s cause—as a supporter, volunteer, survivor, researcher, caregiver, or ally—thank you for being part of a growing movement that’s redefining what recovery can look like. Together, we’re helping create a future where eating disorders are met not with silence, but with knowledge, compassion, and care.