Status of Women committee  Maybe I can add to that. In the context of the past question, when I was referring to parents, I was referring to a question relating to mothers. In fact, family-based therapy considers all caregivers. That might be grandparents. That might be a strong individual in that person's life who is not a parent but is there as a support person.

Status of Women committee  I've heard some of my fellow witnesses highlight options in terms of integrated youth hubs, which exist in provinces across Canada, although not in all provinces. I think one of the aims of the early intervention work I've highlighted of some of our international colleagues is to take the services outside of hospital-based services and try to bring them to community and primary care.

Status of Women committee  Absolutely, right now researchers in Canada look primarily to international colleagues. We know that eating disorders receive significantly less funding than many other mental health conditions, disproportionately in terms of the number of people who are affected, as well. One factor that was highlighted in the eating disorder strategy is the existence of some costing reports, for example, that have been performed in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Status of Women committee  When you say “stats”, do you mean in terms of their well-being generally?

Status of Women committee  What I really want to highlight is that we know that parents are actually the best resource for supporting their child. Parents are the ones who know their child best. Even parents who have their own mental health concerns, whether anxiety, depression, or their own eating disorder, can be the best support.

Status of Women committee  There was a Canadian consensus panel that put out guidelines for treatment of pediatric eating disorders, and then last year there was an addendum. There was an analysis of virtual care for eating disorders with recommendations that there is emerging evidence to support this approach.

Status of Women committee  As we're hearing some of my fellow witnesses highlight today, it's complex. When we talk about the perfect storm of eating disorders, the increased use of social media is one factor that has been highlighted. At the same time, we know that social media in and of itself does not cause eating disorders.

Status of Women committee  Thank you so much, Madam Chair and committee members, for inviting me here today. I'm coming here from Vancouver, which is the traditional unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people. In addition to representing the BC Children's Hospital eating disorders program, I am the president-elect of the Eating Disorders Association of Canada.