Teachers and school nurses from across the north-east will take part in a special conference next week to discuss how to tackle eating disorders.
Staff from state and private schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will gather at Portlethen Academy on Monday to debate how to raise awareness of the dangers of anorexia and bulimia among pupils.
The local authority and NHS-organised event – believed to be first of its kind in Scotland – was inspired by discussions with Aberdeenshire West SNP MSP Dennis Robertson, whose 18-year-old daughter Caroline died of anorexia in 2011.
It is being chaired by Dr Jane Morris, consultant psychiatrist at the Eden Unit inpatient facility for eating disorders at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen.
“Secondary school teachers are particularly well placed to identify eating disorders, to monitor young people’s health and progress in treatment, and above all to make links with treatment teams,” she said. “We believe that schools, loving parental concern and specialist treatment teams can form the ideal triangle of care around young sufferers and support the tough love that is crucial to recovery.”
School head teacher Neil Morrison said eating disorders were an issue that could be a “significant barrier” to the learning and development of young people.
“The event aims to bring professionals together to raise awareness of the issues and to share and develop good practice that will enable us to support young people,” he added.
Mr Robertson, whose daughter attended Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, said it was fitting that the “groundbreaking event” was taking place in the north-east.
“We have come a long way in raising the profile of eating disorders since the death of my daughter Caroline,” he said.
“We still have a long journey in tackling the issues around the illness, and this conference demonstrates the determination of NHS Grampian and the education departments from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils to make a difference.”
Mr Robertson earned plaudits at the Scottish Parliament last year when he spoke movingly about his daughter’s five-year fight against anorexia.
Public Health Minister Michael Matheson promised to help encourage medical professionals to take eating disorders more seriously.