Homewood Health Centre Relaunches Nationally Recognized Eating Disorders Program

Significant enhancements to Canada's largest inpatient treatment program will advance patient outcomes

GUELPH, ON, Feb. 4, 2025 /CNW/ - In recognition of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Homewood Health Centre, Canada's leading inpatient facility for mental health, trauma, addiction, and co-occurring conditions, announces the redesign and relaunch of its Eating Disorders Program. This update is aimed at meeting the increasing complexities and needs of individuals facing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).

With 2.7 million Canadians impacted by eating disorders, Homewood Health Centre offers Canada's largest inpatient program for eating disorders.

Key features of the enhanced Eating Disorders Program include:

• A fully renovated and modernized patient environment for eating disorders patients with attractive bedrooms, new furniture, fully renovated common spaces, and an outdoor courtyard.
  
  
• Expert program leadership by two accomplished healthcare professionals: Dr. JD Vanderkooy MD, BSc, FRCPC, Psychiatrist and Medical Director of the Eating Disorders Program, and Joanna Anderson MSW, RSW, Director, Eating Disorders Program.
  
  
• A physician-led program with an expert interdisciplinary team including psychology, nursing, social work, psychotherapy, personal support, occupational therapy, dietician, recreation therapy and pharmacy.
  
  
• A comprehensive 16-week program focusing on full weight restoration, symptom interruption, stabilization and nutrition rehabilitation - with treatment of comorbid disorders and concurrent trauma or substance use.
  
  
• Access to advanced Interventional Psychiatry Services (rTMS, Ketamine and ECT) for patients with indicated comorbid conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression.
  
  
• Holistic and integrative therapies include horticultural, music, and art therapies to support physical and emotional well-being.
  
  
• Family and caregiver support through weekly virtual support groups.
  
  
• Treatment is available to individuals aged 16 and older.

"Homewood has leveraged its 140-year expertise in mental health to provide the most comprehensive, leading-edge treatment interventions for eating disorders in Canada," says Dr. Carlos Lalonde, President and Chief of Staff at Homewood Health Centre. 

"Several factors have prompted major enhancements to our program. With the increased complexity and severity of eating disorders across Canada and a 60% increase in the rate of newly diagnosed anorexia nervosa in adolescents per month in Ontarioⁱ, Homewood responded with a new specialized team to meet this increased demand for treatment.

The momentum of the weight loss drugs industry is rapidly reversing years of body positivity work, and society's continued preoccupation with thinness means that our work is more critical than ever.

As a trusted Canadian leader in the mental health care landscape, we will continue to enhance our treatment approaches to meet the evolving needs of diverse populations. We are driven by a significant and enduring commitment to the well-being of all Canadians and will continue to deliver the latest innovations in eating disorders treatment." 

For more information on Homewood Health Centre's Eating Disorders Program, visit the website.

About Homewood Health: Homewood Health is at the forefront of mental health and well-being, providing Canadians with an unparalleled continuum of care. We achieve outstanding outcomes daily through our national network of over 6,000 employees and clinical experts working in partnership with leading employers, organizations, researchers and governments. Our unique and comprehensive stepped care continuum provides the most complete range of mental health services available nationally – from organizational support & training programs to employee assistance & mental health programs, as well as specialized expertise in assessments, return to work, recovery management and family support – all supported by our medical and mental health expertise in our nationally recognized treatment facilities: Homewood Health Centre, Homewood Ravensview and The Residence at Homewood. 

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ⁱ Agostino H, Burstein B, Moubayed D, et al. Trends in the incidence of new-onset anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(12):e2137395. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37395

SOURCE Homewood Health Centre

Media Contact: Amrita Maharaj-Dube, Manager, Corporate Communications, 226-962-3288, [email protected]