We’re coming up on Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which will be Feb. 23 through March 1. Why is this week set aside each year to raise awareness? Every 52 minutes, one person dies as a direct consequence of an eating disorder. Eating disorders have the second-highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness behind opiate addiction. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for those diagnosed with an eating disorder.

The bleak statistics go on and on, but the gist of all of this is that we must all take eating disorders seriously and do what we can to help those who may be suffering. “We’re coming together as a community to raise awareness, spark conversations, and take action — because NOT ONE MORE life should be lost, NOT ONE MORE family should suffer and NOT ONE MORE moment should be stolen by this illness,” states a recent post on the National Alliance for Eating Disorders Facebook page.

While there are different types of eating disorders, a basic definition is that they are illnesses associated with severe disturbances in people’s thoughts and emotions that cause disruption in their eating behaviors. Some different eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder.

According to the Utah Women and Leadership Project, risk factors and triggers for eating disorders vary for each person, but there are some that are often present. One glaring example is media influences and unrealistic beauty standards. “Images found in fashion magazines and characters in television programs, movies, and toys for children have portrayed unattainable female figures for decades, and many previous studies have sounded their alarm regarding their impact on girls and women,” states the report.

Other risk factors include family history of eating disorders or mental health conditions, history of dieting, perfectionism, impulsivity, body image dissatisfaction, weight stigma and teasing and bullying about weight and personal trauma.

While we often think of eating disorders as only affecting teens and young women, that is not the case. In fact, men represent about 25% of people with eating disorders, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Any person, at any stage of life, can struggle with an eating disorder.

Some signs of eating disorders include refusal to eat certain foods, excessive exercise, avoiding situations involving food, eating rituals, dressing in layers or baggy clothing, frequent mirror checks, extreme mood swings and preoccupation with weight loss, food, calories and dieting.

So, what can we do to help? We should include eating disorders as part of the conversation about mental health. Symptoms are not always recognized by healthcare providers. It’s important to watch for symptoms with our friends and family members. Sadly, many people suffer for years before receiving help and support.

We need to be careful with social media — people posting about unhealthy weight loss practices, edited photos of celebrities and even body-shaming posts. Sadly, there are social media “influencers” who post tips for getting and hiding eating disorders — a reason that we, as parents, need to be vigilant about talking to our kids about these issues.

There are ways to report posts that promote unhealthy weight loss or other eating disorder behaviors. For example, on Facebook and Instagram, simply tap “Report Post.” Some options will then come up, and one of these is “Eating Disorders.”

If you or someone you know is in need of help or support, call the National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline at 866-662-1235 or text 741-741. Also, visit allianceforeatingdisorders.com, anad.org and nationaleatingdisorders.org.