Date: May 17, 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we have seen the function of social media expanding. In addition to providing people a platform to connect, social media is increasingly used as a means to provide information, influence policy, and carry-out education and work activities. We know that social media has varied impacts on mental health, and research and lived experience demonstrate that social media has a powerful influence on body image, self-concept, and eating habits. Recent media coverage of Facebook’s data has brought issues related to technology and mental health to the forefront. Through this panel discussion co-hosted by NEDIC & Sheena's Place, we explored the relationship between social media, body image, and eating disorders/disordered eating, from a variety of perspectives.

Article shared during the webinar: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34990896/

Panelists:
Meghan Watson (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist and the Resident Therapist for Alkeme Health, an on-demand mental health platform offering guided meditations and well-being courses designed for and by the Black community. Meghan is also the founder and owner of Bloom Psychology & Wellness, a therapy and consulting practice based in Toronto, Canada. With over 10 years of experience in clinical mental health, Meghan is experienced in the fields of eating disorders, LGBT2SQ and gender affirming health care, substance use and behavioural addictions, complex trauma, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Meghan also sits on the Advisory Board for the National Eating Disorder Information Centre of Canada (NEDIC). When she’s not working, Meghan spends her time reading, listening to podcasts, tending to her urban garden and spending time with friends and family.

Lucia Eyzaguirre (she/her) is Peruvian, of mixed European ancestry. She has a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology and works at a non-profit that supports social innovation. Lucia is in recovery from binge-eating disorder and believes that decolonization is crucial to both individual and collective healing. She hopes to pursue a career as a psychotherapist and integrate these values into her practice. Lucia lives, works, and plays in unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe (Omàmìwininìwag) territory with her two cats, Boomba and Catsby.

Jennifer Mills (she/her) is a professor in the Department of Psychology at York University, where she teaches, conducts research, and supervises students on topics related to women's health, body image, and eating disorders. She is a Registered Psychologist and has a small private practice in Toronto. She enjoys listening to music, walking around Toronto, and spending time with her husband and three sons.