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The majority of inquiries are about eating disorders, while the proportion of conversations about self-harm is increasing and accounted for 39 percent in 2023. (Archive photo). Photo: Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix

Record number of eating disorder inquiries

Last year, the number of talks with individuals battling eating disorders or self-harm reached an all-time high, with 5,273 conversations recorded by the Association for Eating Disorders and Self-Harm, a 17% increase from the previous year. The majority of the contacts were made via chat and text, especially by youth when they’re feeling very low. The proportion of self-harm related calls rose to 39% in 2023. With 1,218 unanswered calls due to lack of staff, the organization highlights the need for more personnel to handle the rising inquiries. In Norway, a similar organization saw a surge in youth conversations after increasing chat staff. The association is now seeking funds to expand chat support, noting that half of their contacts involve individuals aged 16 to 25, while a quarter are children between 10 and 15.