[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 14561-14562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04258]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 89 , No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 14561]]

                Proclamation 10702 of February 23, 2024

                
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we 
                shine a light on these serious health conditions, which 
                impact nearly 1 in 10 people across America, and 
                reaffirm our commitment to improving access to mental 
                health services, treatment, recovery, and support.

                Eating disorders are serious and life-threatening, but 
                with early intervention, a full recovery is possible. 
                Unfortunately, the stigmatization experienced by people 
                struggling with eating disorders often prevents them 
                from seeking health care and support. When left 
                untreated, eating disorders can have devastating 
                effects on the human body. Each of us has the power to 
                show compassion to those who are struggling, help break 
                down the barriers standing in the way of recovery, and 
                create a culture that treats everyone with dignity and 
                respect.

                My Administration is taking action to support all those 
                living with eating disorders. Federal agencies such as 
                the National Institute of Mental Health have been 
                working to improve the detection and prevention of 
                eating disorders so we can save lives by developing 
                effective therapies and interventions. Through the 
                Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
                Administration (SAMHSA) and funding for the National 
                Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders, we are 
                working to expand access to new tools and trainings for 
                health care providers, families, caregivers, and 
                community members so they can better detect and treat 
                eating disorders. We are helping schools hire more 
                mental health counselors, social workers, and nurses to 
                make sure that young people have the support they need 
                to live full and healthy lives.

                At its core, tackling the mental health crisis is about 
                providing hope. That is why my Administration is 
                investing billions of dollars to improve access to 
                mental health services, helping people get the care 
                they deserve. Across the United States, we are 
                expanding the number of Certified Community Behavioral 
                Health Clinics that provide 24/7 care regardless of a 
                person's ability to pay. We are expanding training for 
                health care professionals; integrating mental health 
                services into primary care settings; improving coverage 
                of mental health conditions; strengthening enforcement 
                of parity laws; and addressing the harms of bullying 
                and social media that fuel eating disorders, 
                depression, and self-harm.

                As Americans, we have a duty to reach out to one 
                another and leave no one behind. Let us extend a 
                helping hand to those struggling with an eating 
                disorder and ensure that they have access to the 
                treatment they deserve. This week, we recommit to 
                showing compassion and empowering our fellow Americans 
                to ask for help when they need it. For those in need of 
                support, visit samhsa.gov/find-support or call the 
                SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for 
                confidential, free, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year 
                information and referral services. For anyone 
                experiencing a crisis, immediate and confidential help 
                is also available by calling or texting 988, the 
                National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution

[[Page 14562]]

                and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim 
                February 26 through March 3, 2024, as National Eating 
                Disorders Awareness Week. I encourage citizens, 
                government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit 
                organizations, and other interested groups to join in 
                activities that will increase awareness of what 
                Americans can do to prevent eating disorders and that 
                will improve access to care and other support services 
                for those currently living with an eating disorder.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-third day of February, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2024-04258
Filed 2-27-24; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P