Forums on the National Eating Disorders Association's (NEDA) website are a safe and supportive space. We're counting on our members to be thoughtful when discussing sensitive topics, so here are the guidelines for all who use the NEDA Forums.

The forums are meant to be an online community where individuals can connect to others who are either struggling with an eating disorder, in recovery, or supporting someone with an eating disorder. Our forums are not a replacement for professional help, rather a place to give and receive support. Please note that the NEDA forums are intended for individuals 13 years and older. 

We want to be sure our members get the specialized support they need, so please contact our toll-free helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or visit the Help & Support section of the website.

If you are in a crisis and need help immediately, text "NEDA" to 741741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you are currently engaging in self-harming behaviors please contact the self-injury crisis line at 1-800-366-8288. It is NEDA policy that we keep the forums a safe place. Therefore, if you choose to write about suicidal ideation and/or self-harming behaviors, your post is subject to deletion and your email account may be accessed by a NEDA Helpline Staff member who may contact you regarding your safety.

Be true to yourself and be respectful of others. You might not always agree with what other members have to say – and that’s okay. We’re all for discussion and debate, as long as you treat others the way you would want to be treated. That means no harassment, bullying, or name-calling. Mean-spirited talk about anyone’s appearance is not allowed.

NEDA is not a health care provider, and does not give medical advice or treatment. Be kind and compassionate to other members, but do not post medical, nutritional, or psychological advice.

Leave the numbers out of it. Weight, BMI, clothing size, or the calories you ate today don’t belong in NEDA’s forums, as they may be triggering to others. Don’t post diet tips, details about disordered eating behavior, or messages that encourage eating disorders.

Be safe. Don’t share your email address, your Facebook page, your real name, your address, your school, or your place of work. Remember, forums are public. Keep your personal information private. Don’t post material that you don’t have permission to use (pictures, music, video, etc.). If you’re sharing a quote or a statistic, be sure to give credit.

Don’t try to sell or promote products or services. The forums are no place to conduct research studies or advertise; professionals are welcome to participate as individuals but should not promote their own services. Discussion about treatment should focus on recovery and approaches not specific treatment centers or providers. If you choose to do this, your post is subject to deletion and you may be contacted by NEDA Staff.

All bodies are welcome here. Remember that people with eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. This forum is a size inclusive space. It is critical that everyone feel safe here no matter what their weight/shape/size may be. Please refrain from using fat shaming or weight stigmatizing language, or language that suggests weight loss as a treatment goal.

All people are welcome here. People struggling with eating disorders come from every race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic group, physical ability, political orientation and religious/spiritual tradition. NEDA welcomes everyone to the Forum.

Respect different levels of recovery. Many people healing from eating disorders are also survivors of trauma. People are in many different places in their healing, and the Forum needs to be safe for people far along in their recovery and for those taking their first steps. In the Forum discussions, please refrain from discussing specific details about your own traumatic experiences that may be triggering to others.

This probably goes without saying but we’ll say it anyway. Don’t use obscene language or post obscene, offensive material.

NEDA Forum Disclaimer Agreement
By accepting the terms of this disclaimer agreement you agree that you will abide by our community guidelines and understand our forums are not a replacement for professional help. If you post something that we determine violates our Community Guidelines, your post is subject to deletion and your membership could be revoked. If you post something that we, for any reason, find alarming in regards to your safety a trained NEDA Staff member may contact you privately and your post will be subject to deletion. If you do not agree to these terms, please let us know why at [email protected] See something on the forums or in the comments that upsets you? Be sure to report it to our moderators at [email protected].