The Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) is thrilled to announce that it has launched year three of the MEDA Memorial Scholarship. The fund is solely designated for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).

The proceeds will provide training scholarships to both Bachelor and Masters level students who are pursuing a degree in social work, psychology, or mental health counseling and who have a special interest in working with eating disorder recovery. The fund is also available for BIPOC clinicians who wish to attend our national conference on May 12th and May 13th in Massachusetts.

The MEDA Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide gifts from $500-$5,000 per year for students to be used for tuition, housing, travel, books, or any other living expenses associated with their course of study.

Despite similar rates of eating disorder symptoms, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color with disordered eating patterns and body weight concerns are only half as likely to be diagnosed as compared to their white counterparts. Additionally, BIPOC face significant barriers to getting the help they need for recovery. Ensuring that eating disorders in this population are appropriately diagnosed and treated must be a priority. Unquestionably, more clinicians of color who have expertise in this area are desperately needed. MEDA hopes that by increasing the number of trained BIPOC social workers and mental health counselors, we will be better able to identify and treat all individuals struggling with eating disorders. The percentage of BIPOC social workers is less than 20% and even less specialize in eating disorders.

Reflecting on the impact of this generous gift, Monika Ostroff, Executive Director of MEDA, states “We are one step closer to the vision of providing compassionate and culturally inclusive care to all. This gift begins to provide solutions to some of the financial barriers to training while simultaneously working to ensure equitable access to treatment for BIPOC.”

For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, please visit:

http://bit.ly/3Uw01MQ

The deadline for this year’s application will be May 23, 20232. Award winners will be announced June 5, 2023. For clinicians interested in a conference scholarship or discounted rate, please email Rebecca Manley at rmanley@medainc.org.

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