30 millions Americans suffer from eating disorders, but the majority do not receive treatment. Project HEAL is the largest grassroots eating disorder non-profit in the US, with 40 chapters across the globe. In 2017, we asked our community what made the difference in their recovery, and they answered loud and clear: other people who have been there. They told us they needed to connect with people who offer living, breathing proof that recovery is not only possible, but worth fighting for. Communities of HEALing, the first peer support program of its kind for eating disorders, is our response to that call. It includes weekly support groups in local communities and 1:1 mentorship by trained and vetted recovered mentors. Come learn how we are using patient centered design, technology, and research partnerships to advance accessible, evidence based eating disorder treatment for all.

2. Eating Disorder Recovery: The Power of Peer
Support and Technology
Abigail Andrews
SF Communities of HEALing Lead @ Project HEAL
Product Manager @ Two Chairs
Communities
of HEALing

3. Why I Am Here Today
Volunteer
Job
Day
Job
Project HEAL: theprojectheal.org
● SF Lead for Communities of HEALing
● Support Group Facilitator + Recovery Mentor
Two Chairs: twochairs.com
● Product Manager for mental health startup
● Group Therapy Lead
Expanding access
to high quality
treatment and
support for mental
health issues
Communities
of HEALing

4. 1 in 10 people in the U.S. suffer from
an eating disorder.
Communities
of HEALing

5. Picture someone with an eating disorder.
Who do you see?
Communities
of HEALing

6. Treatment can cost up to $2,000 per day, and
on average $30,000 per month.
Communities
of HEALing

7. The relapse rate in the first year following
treatment is upwards of 50%.
Communities
of HEALing

8. Think about something difficult you’ve gone
through in your life. Big or small.
Communities
of HEALing

9. Substance abuse
Postpartum
depression
PTSD
Communities
of HEALing

10. Communities of HEALing

11. Communities
of HEALing
1:1 mentorship from a recovered peer
In-person Online / remote
?

12. Communities
of HEALing

13. Communities
of HEALing

14. Communities
of HEALing

15. Communities
of HEALing

16. Abigail Andrews
Project HEAL
theprojectheal.org
cohsanfrancisco@theprojectheal.org