Help for eating disorders available in NNY

Your March 3 article about the conference "Eating Disorders in the North Country," sponsored by the North Country Behavioral Healthcare Network, helped to spread the message that eating disorders are serious but treatable illnesses.

Just a few years ago, there was little to no treatment for eating disorders available in the Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties region. Due to the dedicated work of concerned parents and local health care providers, Tri-County Pathways to Balanced Nutrition now provides eating disorders prevention, education, treatment and support in the tri-county (Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis) region.

Patients who seek treatment through Tri-County Pathways to Balanced Nutrition are first screened by the eating disorders case manager at North Country Transitional Living Services Inc. Depending on individual need, the patient may then be referred to Samaritan Medical Center for medical evaluation and nutritional counseling and/or referred to local behavioral health practitioners for therapy services.

The treatment team at Samaritan includes physicians, nurse practitioners and registered dieticians. The program works closely with the patient's primary care provider and links individuals to medical, mental health, nutrition and other appropriate services. A monthly parents' support group is videoconferenced with, and led by, Richard E. Kreipe, M.D., director of the Strong Memorial Adolescent Eating Disorder Program.

Individuals needing more intensive treatment are referred to the Eating Disorder Recovery Center of Western New York. A cooperative agreement between the North Country Eating Disorders Coalition and the Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Excellence in Eating Disorders Treatment creates an effective system of care for individuals suffering from eating disorders.

Effective eating disorders treatment is available right here in the north country. The first call is to the eating disorders case manager at 315-782-1777 extension 34.

Barry Brogan

Saranac Lake

The writer is executive director of North Country Behavorial Healthcare Network.