June Alexander

AUSTRALIAN
Author and journalist
Speaker

Welcome! Here you will find answers, encouragement and support in understanding and recovering from Anorexia Nervosa. Research is ongoing to learn more about the genetic and environmental causes of this mental illness and to improve treatment. Until recently, parents were considered part of the cause, but evidence-based research has revealed they are a vital part of the solution. Research outcomes suggest that early intervention with family-based treatment offers the best hope of recovery for children and adolescents who develop Anorexia Nervosa.

I wish family-based treatment had been around when I was young! I developed Anorexia Nervosa at the age of 11, in the early 1960s, in a rural area of Australia where no help was available. I went on to develop Bulimia Nervosa, chronic anxiety and depression. I was in my 30s when I began a recovery journey of more than 20 years. Now, I am at peace and life is beautiful! My message is: Never give up hope, and seek assistance quickly! I invite you to use this site as a beacon on your recovery path.

This is explained in my book My Kid Is Back – Empowering Parents To Beat Anorexia Nervosa. Written in collaboration with Professor Daniel le Grange, director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of Chicago, and voicing the experiences of ten families, this book offers valuable insight and inspiration for parents.

**You can order My Kid Is Back from the following online book stores.**

BUY ONLINE in Australia/New Zealand:

Alexander and Le Grange have combined heart, history and healing in this thoughtful book. My Kid is Back should be required reading for any parent with the slightest suspicion that an eating disorder may be developing in their child. June Alexander's own testimonial should be a warning enough that families need to take action early and head on.

- Lynn S. Grefe, Chief Executive Officer, National Eating Disorders Association (USA)

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

BUY ONLINE outside Australia/New Zealand:

My Kid Is Back is stocked by eating disorder specialist sites including The Butterfly Foundation and The Oak House.

Newsflash

Launch of My Kid Is Back in the UK, Europe and North America

March 8th to 12th: I will be in London to promote and celebrate the Routledge release of My Kid Is Back. Check the Routledge website daily for my schedule of media events. The promotion will culminate with the official launch of My Kid Is Back on March 13th, Saturday, at the National Family Network Day. I look forward to sharing this exciting event with you. See more details on the Media/Calendar page.

Calendar

March – Andrea Roe’s You Are Not Alone Support Letter

Andrea Roe has kindly invited me to share my story in her Support Letter in late March. Go to: You are Not Alone Support Letter

In addition, the March edition will also be available for download in the You are Not Alone archive.

About Andrea:
Andrea recovered from a 10 year struggle with depression and severe body image issues and a six year battle with eating disorders. It is her passion to share her story, support others in their healing journey, raise awareness and spread the message that eating disorders can be beaten. For more information about her recovery and her work, visit her You Are Not Alone web site which has a Monthly Eating Disorder Recovery Support Letter filled with recovery stories, interviews, poems, artwork, recovery and body image tips, and give-aways. Recovery IS possible!

March 8th to March 12th, Monday to Friday:

My Kid Is Back launch in London
In London for publicity events leading up to the launch of My Kid Is Back. Details: http://www.routledgementalhealth.com/my-kid-is-back/

March 13th, Saturday:

National Family Network Day www.edic2010.ukevents.org/nfnd.htm
This is event is momentous for many reasons - including the official launch of My Kid Is Back by Routledge into the UK, Europe and North America.
Also, I have been delighted to accept an invitation from Susan Ringwood, Chief Executive of B-eat to host a table during the special networking lunch.
(B-eat is the UK's leading charity supporting people with eating disorders and campaigning with them).
The lunch will form part of the National Family Network Day on Saturday 13th March. Carers, family members and sufferers will attend this day, which will provide a valuable opportunity for them to meet healthcare professionals working in the field, who will be able to offer advice and support. The lunch will take place in the Great Hall Kensington Conference and Events Centre from 13.00–14.30.
Anyone wishing to participate in this innovative event can arrange registration and payment by visiting http://www.edic2010.ukevents.org/registration.htm
Together with Beat I look forward to an exciting and successful conference.

Book Signing:

My Kid Is Back will be launched at the National Family Network Day. Copies will be available for purchase at books at the Routledge stand, and I will be happy to sign copies straight at the bookstand straight after the networking lunch. I look forward to meeting you there!

March 18th and 19th, Thursday and Friday:

New Me New World – a free forum for all Gippsland women

Dinner Speaker:

This event will take place in the small country town of Yarram, in the region of Gippsland, in the south-east corner of Australia.
Gippsland is the region of my childhood, so this event holds special meaning for me – especially as the event has been organised to help women move forward following the devastating and tragic Black Saturday bushfires that occurred in February 2009.
I will speak about ‘Coping Skills for a New Me – exploring strategies to assist and manage stressful situations that occur in daily life’ at the dinner on the Thursday evening.

Registration details: email carol.kavanagh@y7mail.com

April 8th-9th, Thursday and Friday:

I will share my journey, and discuss the importance of including family members in treatment for eating disorders, on Cat Garceau’s Wellness Olympiad.

April 14th-15th, Wednesday and Thursday:

MentorConnect Teleconference Series

I had the pleasure of meeting Shannon Cutts, a vibrant and enthusiastic young woman determined to raise the bar on eating disorders, at the NEDA 2009 Conference in Minneapolis.
Shannon has invited me to participate in the MentorConnect Teleconference Series on April 14th-15th.
Shannon Cutts is the founder and director of Key to Life: unlocking the door to hope and MentorCONNECT, a global eating disorders mentoring community.
The teleconference series is one of Shannon’s many positive events to assist eating disorders sufferers in their recovery journeys.

June 10th, 11th and 12th, Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

2010 International Conference on Eating Disorders, Salzburg, Austria
The ICED is the primary gathering place for professionals and advocates engaged in research, treatment and prevention of eating disorders. Each year, ICED attendees, faculty, supporters and exhibitors create a unique, inspiring and intensive environment for education, training, collaboration and dialogue.