While You Wait

Why is there a waitlist for some programs?

The pandemic has fueled a dramatic rise in eating disorders and demand for care. Consider these statistics illustrating the profound impact of the past few years on Americans with eating disorders:

• 62% of people with anorexia reported that eating disorder thoughts and behaviors increased during the early pandemic, and 30% of people with bulimia and binge eating disorder reported an increase in binge eating and urges (NCEED)
• NEDA helpline calls increased by 40% in 2020
• The National Alliance for Eating Disorders’ support group attendance increased by 82% and its referrals by 108% in 2020; these figures were even higher in 2021
• Eating disorder providers have seen a 30–100% increase in treatment demand, including doubled call volumes and inquiries, increased illness acuity, and waitlists expanding from 1 week to 6–8 months in some parts of the nation

Learn more about the pandemic’s toll on people with eating disorders in the Eating Disorders Coalition’s letter to Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

COVID’s strain on people with eating disorders has also affected the communities supporting them. Eating disorder treatment organizations, like the entire mental healthcare system, are overwhelmed. Veritas and our sibling brand The Emily Program are actively engaged in expanding treatment access and support, but we are among the many organizations currently seeing waitlists for some programs.

How long will my wait be?

Program wait times vary by location. Your Admissions Coordinator—your primary point of contact after your eating disorder assessment—will notify you when there is an opening in the program recommended for you. You can expect regular communication from them until your treatment begins.

What can I do while I wait for treatment?

Stay connected

Please maintain your connections with your community-based providers while you wait to begin care, including any medical, mental health, nutrition, or psychiatry professionals. 

By completing this Release of Information form, you can also allow these providers to share information with Veritas Collaborative. This communication between providers helps to inform care decisions and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

Find support

We know that it is incredibly hard to wait for treatment. Although being on a waitlist does not mean that you do not deserve or need care, you may find yourself wondering if treatment is worth the wait. Connection and support are key during this time. Please check out the following resources to help you navigate the waiting period.