Speaking in the Members Debate on Eating Disorders, Dr Nanette Milne MSP said:
“Last November Dennis Robertson also held a Members’ Debate on one aspect of eating disorders, namely that of the presence in culture and fashion of an unrealistic image of size 10 models and mannequins. The knock-on effect of such images on vulnerable people, especially young girls, was highlighted and I hope that this area will play a part of this year’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week. I also hope that this week will look at other areas and I would like to use the time available to me to focus on situations which occur in our schools, colleges and universities.
“The UK wide programme of events, organised by BEAT, to promote a further understanding of illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia, is very impressive. In particular I welcome events taking place in our university towns, from Durham to Bournemouth, where students arrive for the first time in unfamiliar settings to face the challenges of student life.
“This is indeed a difficult time for young people adjusting to being away from home and from their parents, making new friends and meeting students from other backgrounds and dealing with the pressures of their academic subjects.
“Like many young people, I too found the transition from home to university not to be without its difficulties, but I consider myself lucky that I never felt isolated, unhappy or depressed. But as I said, I was lucky. What is of concern today, more than ever, is the number of students at our colleges and universities who fall victim to eating disorders as a response to such challenges.
“A recent survey of 200 students with eating disorders found that 32% were diagnosed after starting their course, and almost a fifth said that their condition had forced them to drop out of university altogether. I fully acknowledge the important role that student support bodies play in reaching out to people on campuses who have eating disorders, but the same survey has shown that a significant majority, nearly 70% of those asked, said that they had struggled to access treatment while at university. So clearly we need to do more. When it comes to schools, I won’t be the only person in this Chamber who was shocked by reports in various newspapers regarding what The Times described as ‘a silent epidemic of anorexia sweeping through Britain’s top independent schools, affecting thousands of teenage girls.’
“The desire to achieve high grades and the competitive nature of highly academic girls’ schools is something which is often celebrated and championed. I make absolutely no criticism of this, but they are also risk factors contributing to eating disorders at such schools, as key experts such as Susan Ringwood of BEAT has identified.
“Unlike the state sector, there are no guidelines on pastoral and psychological care that independent schools have to provide. I do recognise that many independent schools do have a designated teacher responsible for pupils’ wellbeing as well as nurses and counsellors to deal with the issues, such as anorexia, which affect teenage girls. However, quite clearly some girls, especially those away from home at boarding schools, do feel more vulnerable and at risk of turning to eating disorders as a response to the stresses associated with such institutions.
“On a more positive note I read with great admiration of a student at Edinburgh called Constance Barter who had the courage to speak publicly at the weekend about her battles with anorexia while at school. Constance described how her desire to succeed as a runner on the track led her down the road to an eating disorder. After the initial feeling that she was not given the emotional support required, Constance describes how once her school became aware of her illness, they were, in her words ‘very helpful’ and that she had ‘a really amazing time there.’ Sadly Constance acknowledges that other girls with similar conditions did not recover, and that is why we must have in place in all educational establishments the right tools to aid those afflicted by these terrifying illnesses.