School counselor's role in recognizing and addressing eating disorders in the Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District

Joyce A. Widman
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:43:25 PDT

Eating disorders are recognized as the deadliest mental-health illness. Eating disorder symptoms frequently appear in adolescents in middle school and high school, which is a time when school counselors are part of a teenager’s life. School counseling offers a solid platform to educate and collaborate with stakeholders such as parents, other school staff, and coaches. Fairbanks, Alaska, like other small communities, lacks resources for the treatment of eating disorders. However, there are dieticians, counselors, and doctors in the local community who are able and willing to work together on behalf of a student struggling with an eating disorder or eating disorder symptoms. They can help with treatment for mild cases and with locating an appropriate venue for in treatment care. Based on an examination of current literature on eating disorders and the roles that school counselors can play in recognition of and treatment for young people with eating disorders, a website and booklet have been developed specifically for school counselors in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.