Holding Hope: Co‐producing eating disorders education that integrates the lived experience voice to inform best practice

Abstract

Accessible Summary What is known on the subject? Eating Disorder (ED) education is predominating taught through a DSM‐V diagnostic criteria and clinically focused lens devoid of lived experience expertise. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? Current clinically focused ED education may be shaping health professional misunderstandings of EDs, influencing the therapeutic relationships between health professional and consumer which is key to the recovery process. Integrating the lived experience voice through co‐produced, humanities‐based ED education deepens understandings and honours the complexities of EDs by bringing a much‐needed, alternate perspective to health professional learning, practice and research. What are the implications for mental health nursing? Reframing mental health education towards a more strengths‐based, trauma‐informed and recovery focused lens has the potential to upskill the health workforce in how to hold hope, space and learn to walk the fight with people living and recovering with an ED.