Supporting Mental Well-Being During Eating Disorder Awareness Week
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, observed from February 23 through March 1, 2026, is a time to recognize how deeply emotional health, stress, and body image can affect daily life. For many people, the line between “normal concerns” and disordered patterns can feel blurry, especially when food and body image are used to cope with difficult emotions. Even if someone does not have a diagnosed eating disorder, ongoing struggles around eating, weight, or self-image can have a real impact on mental well-being.
At Relevate Ketafusion, in La Crosse, WI, we recognize this awareness week as an opportunity to support broader mental well-being. While we do not currently offer ketamine therapy as a primary treatment for eating disorders, we believe in promoting education, awareness, and access to specialized mental health resources. This article is designed to be an accessible resource, whether or not ketamine therapy is right for you.
Mental Health Beyond a Diagnosis
Eating-related struggles exist on a spectrum, and many people experience distress without ever receiving an official diagnosis. Someone might exhibit rigid food rules, frequent emotional eating, chronic dieting, or persistent anxiety about weight or appearance that interferes with daily life. These patterns often develop as ways to manage stress, numb painful emotions, or create a sense of control when life feels overwhelming.
Over time, coping strategies that once “worked” can begin to affect mood, sleep, relationships, and self-worth. When shame or secrecy are involved, it can become even harder to reach out for support. Recognizing that these challenges are about more than food is an important first step toward getting help.
When To Seek Professional Support
It can be hard to know when concern about food and body image crosses into something that needs professional help. In general, reaching out is a good idea if:
- Thoughts about food, weight, or appearance take up a large part of the day.
- Eating habits feel secretive, rigid, out of control, or tied to strong guilt or shame.
- Weight changes, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations, or other health issues are showing up.
- Mood, energy, relationships, or work and school are being affected.
- Self‑harm, suicidal thoughts, or urges to severely restrict or purge are present.
If there is ever concern about immediate safety, calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency department is the priority. For ongoing support, a combination of medical care, therapy, nutrition counseling, and sometimes higher levels of care (such as intensive outpatient or residential programs) may be recommended.
The Role of Body Awareness
Body awareness refers to the ability to notice internal cues such as hunger, fullness, stress, and emotional shifts. When this awareness becomes disrupted, individuals may feel disconnected from their bodies or unsure how to respond to physical and emotional needs.
Supporting body awareness may help individuals:
- Recognize early signs of emotional stress
- Respond to discomfort with curiosity rather than judgment
- Identify patterns that affect mood or energy
- Build a more compassionate relationship with their body
These skills support mental well-being even outside the context of eating disorders.
Emotional Regulation and Coping
Emotional regulation refers to the ability to notice, understand, and respond to emotions in ways that feel manageable and aligned with personal values. When emotions feel intense, unpredictable, or overwhelming, it is common for behaviors around food, exercise, or appearance to become coping strategies. For example, someone might restrict eating to feel in control, overeat to numb distress, or focus on body size to distract from deeper pain.
Developing healthier emotional regulation may involve:
- Learning grounding techniques
- For example, noticing five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, etc.
- Practicing mindfulness or breath awareness to create a small pause before reacting
- Establishing consistent routines for sleep, meals, and movement to support stability
- Working with a mental health professional to build skills like distress tolerance, self-compassion, and healthy boundary-setting
These approaches are not quick fixes, or a substitute for therapy or mental-health support from a professional, but they can help people respond to emotions rather than react to them. Over time, this can reduce reliance on food- or body-based coping and create space for new, more supportive patterns.
Wisconsin and La Crosse–Area Resources
People in La Crosse and across Wisconsin have access to a number of local and state‑level resources for eating disorders and related mental health concerns. A few places to consider include:
- Primary care or family medicine clinics in La Crosse, which can provide initial screening, medical evaluation, and referrals to specialized care.
- Local mental health clinics and private practitioners with experience in eating disorders, body image, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
- Regional hospital systems in the La Crosse area, which may offer outpatient therapy, intensive programs, or connections to specialized services.
- Wisconsin’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (by calling or texting 988), which is available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress, including those struggling with eating‑related concerns.
- State and national organizations that provide education, support groups, and treatment directories, such as eating disorder advocacy and support organizations.
Because availability of services can change, contacting providers directly or checking their websites is often the best way to confirm current offerings and whether they are accepting new patients.
Relevate Ketafusion as a Mental Health Resource
Relevate Ketafusion is a ketamine therapy clinic in La Crosse that focuses primarily on conditions such as treatment‑resistant depression, certain anxiety disorders, post‑traumatic stress, and chronic pain. While ketamine is not used at Relevate as a primary treatment for eating disorders, many people who live with disordered eating or body image concerns also experience depression, anxiety, or trauma‑related symptoms.
For individuals who are:
- Already working with an eating disorder treatment team and also facing significant depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
- Unsure whether ketamine therapy is appropriate and would like to understand options in the context of their broader mental health.
Relevate can be one part of a larger support system. Our team encourages open, honest conversation about goals, current treatment, and safety, and will recommend coordination with other providers whenever that is in your best interest.
If you are navigating emotional challenges tied to food, body image, or long‑standing mood symptoms, you do not need to go through it alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, whether that means contacting a local therapist, talking with your primary care provider, or scheduling a confidential consultation with Relevate Ketafusion to explore next steps that align with your needs and values.
At Relevate Ketafusion, every patient begins with a free, confidential consultation before any ketamine therapy is considered. This visit is required for our team to determine whether ketamine is an appropriate and safe option, but it is also an accessible resource for anyone who is unsure where to start, even if they are not interested in ketamine therapy right now. Our consultation is not a substitute for ongoing therapy, yet for someone who feels truly stuck, it can be a first gateway to talk openly, ask questions, and receive guidance or referrals to additional resources that fit their situation.
Request a FREE, confidential consultation: https://relevateketafusion.com/request-a-consultation/
If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression and feel ready to explore IV ketamine therapy, we’re here to help. Schedule a free virtual consultation to discuss your specific situation with our medical team. Together, we can determine if IV ketamine therapy might be the breakthrough you’ve been seeking.
