Eating Concerns
Students who present with concerns related to eating, exercise, and body image may consider assessment for an eating disorder diagnosis. Eating disorders are complicated medical and psychological issues that affect a wide range of individuals. The Office of Student Life is invested in supporting students who may be struggling with eating concerns to positively impact overall wellness and assist them in achieving their life goals.
While Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) can assess for and recommend levels of care based on presenting concerns for students who present with eating disorders, students should plan to use their private health insurance or the OSU Student Health Insurance for ongoing care in the local Columbus community. Those whose disordered eating is a secondary diagnosis, not acute, or is being well maintained through other treatment, may benefit from conjunctive services at CCS to include workshops or participating in CCS Group Counseling.
SCREENING AND LINKAGE
Students should begin their treatment by completing a CCS phone screening to determine the most appropriate level of care based on their presenting concerns, frequency of behaviors, duration of symptoms, etc. Students will be notified at the end of their phone screening of the recommendation for care. In cases where more information needs to be gathered prior to recommendations for care being made, students will be offered additional support.
CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY BASED TREATMENT
If you are a provider working with an incoming student who would benefit from weekly counseling for an existing diagnosis of disordered eating, please utilize the CCS Community Provider Database to assist your client in establishing care using their private health insurance prior to transitioning to The Ohio State University.
When disordered eating is determined to be a treatment focus following a CCS phone screening, the CCS clinicians will also utilize the CCS Community Provider Database and other local resources to link students to community agencies/counselors for ongoing care. We also often advise students to schedule a physical or initial eating disorder assessment at Student Health Services and a nutrition coaching appointment through the Student Wellness Center for general health or disordered eating. By combining mental health, medical health, and dietician services, students will receive a holistic approach to treatment. It is best practice to provide eating disorder treatment that includes professionals that can address these multiple facets of wellness and health.
Peer support is also recommended through the Student Wellness Body Project. Students may also benefit from food services through the Buckeye Food Alliance.
HIGHER LEVELS OF CARE
CCS clinicians and associated professionals are happy to help in providing referrals for higher levels of treatment. Sometimes a higher level of care (beyond campus and community-based resources) is recommended when more intensive, long-term, or ongoing care is needed to manage presenting concerns. We can assist in locating additional services in Columbus and elsewhere in Ohio. Below are some links to eating disorder treatment programs we’ve referred to previously that provide various levels of treatment.
The Emily Program offers specialized, multidisciplinary eating disorder assessment and treatment in multiple levels of care in Columbus, OH (and virtually) for adults and adolescents with eating disorders.
The Eating Recovery Center offers specialized, multidisciplinary eating disorder assessment and treatment in multiple levels of care in Cincinnati, OH (and virtually) for adults with eating disorders.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Eating Disorders Program provides treatment services for individuals up to age 21.
OSU Harding Hospital in the Wexner Medical Center offers intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization group treatment programs for young adults (ages 18-24) or adult (25+) when disordered eating is a comorbid concern with mood disorders and/or problematic coping habits.
OUR COMMITMENT TO CARE
The Eating Concerns Consultation Team (ECCT) is a multidisciplinary team consisting of mental health professionals, psychiatrists, physicians, and nutritionists who collaborate to provide appropriate assessment, intervention, and support to students on Ohio State's campus who are struggling with eating and body image concerns. This team will collaborate to ensure quality of care.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
For more information, please contact interim committee chair, Morgan Blumenfeld, LPCC-S.