More support should be given to those with eating disorders while they await treatment – that’s according to a young woman from Langford who says she was told she wasn’t sick enough to get help.

The Comet: Hannah Brown.Hannah Brown. (Image: Archant)

Hannah Brown, 26, suffered from anorexia and had a slight relapse earlier this year – although despite contacting community eating disorder services three times, she was only offered an appointment on July 18 as her weight was not dropping or considered critical.

“For someone pleading for help, I felt insulted and disregarded by these comments,” said Hannah, who used to go to Samuel Whitbread Academy in Clifton.

“I’d suffered a slight relapse and recognised I needed to access service to stop a slippery slope. We read so often about how early intervention is essential in the treatment of eating disorders.

“I’ve read in national news how GPs and community services have let down patients who have gone on to take their own lives. I’m fortunate that I have a support network around me to protect me, but what if I didn’t?”

Hannah – who has arranged private care ‘costing a small fortune’ – says she wants to raise awareness of the issue of eating disorders and help others affected by them by offering an ear that understands.

To this end she has launched a website called An Ear to Hear, which she envisions becoming a service offered to those awaiting treatment for eating disorders – offering advice such as meal plans so people ‘don’t feel they’re just being left on a list’.

She hopes that this could function in tandem with disorder services.

To find out more, see Hannah’s site at aneartohear.co.uk or email her at hannahbrown1990@icloud.com.

Hannah is a finalist in the ‘role model of the year’ category of this year’s Comet Community Awards, which are being held tomorrow night in Letchworth.

To find out more see cometcommunityawards.co.uk.