Bridlington man calls for more support in helping people with eating disorders
Steve Blackford lost his daughter Chelsea Blue in 2021
A Bridlington man is calling for there to be more support in helping people with eating disorders.
Steve Blackford says early intervention is important and the key to recovery.
He lost his 17-year-old daughter, Chelsea Blue, in April 2021. She had been suffering from eating disorders since she was 13.
Steve has been speaking out as part of an awareness week and said: "There's still a big stigma around eating disorders and the unknown for a lot of people, so a week like this helps the people understand more about the illness which is hitting so, so many people in the UK and around the world.
"My daughter Chelsea Blue began suffering with an eating disorder at the age of 13. We didn't know much about the illness and unfortunately we suffered and Chelsea suffered with the worst effects of an eating disorder until she lost her life in April 2021.
"We always struggled trying to find that extra little bit of help through services in our area. We kept hitting brick walls and there just needs to be more help at the beginning with an eating disorder because that's where the importance of recovery is. Early intervention is key.
"More places like the new SEED resource centre in Hull, where people can drop in and get information and help, it needs to be more UK wide. I think that's the only one where people can go and the amount of people that have been admitted to SEED since the opening is amazing that people are looking for help, but on the other hand it's shocking that there isn't more help out there for people who need it.
"Don't sit in silence. It's not only you that's going through it. It's a really, really fast acting illness. You need to be able to get some help, even if you're not sure if it's an eating disorder or not, seek some help. It's a very hidden illness. It can hide behind a smile and before you know it, you can be in a position where it's gone out of control and I hope it never happens to anybody like it happened to Chelsea and to our family.
"You can talk. There is people out there and there is the help out there and just remember you're not alone in this. It's not a race. Recovery is able for everybody so please get the help that's there."
For help and advice, contact SEED charity on their website. You can also contact CAMHS in Hull and the East Riding.