The North Almería Health Management Area, through the Mental Health Clinical Management Unit (UGC), has designed a special intensive program for the treatment of ‘More Than Numbers’ eating disorder. An initiative where motivation for change, awareness of illness and support for families are the fundamental pillars we work with.

The model developed is based on scientific evidence therapy developed in England -Maudsle Model- and family coping developed by this reference Hospital in London. The treatment program allows for structured therapy and intensive follow-up of patients and their families through weekly and bi-weekly sessions, thereby supporting their recovery process.

Thus, the North Almería Health Management Area demonstrated its commitment to bringing the area closer special mental health care for children and adolescentsthereby avoiding, in most cases, patients missing school activities and their families having to go to the Torrecárdenas University Hospital, a referral center in the province of Almería.

Eating Disorders focus on overvaluing body weight and shape over other aspects of life, and they are more common in periods of change such as adolescence, a stage of the life cycle, particularly sensitive for self-esteem and personality development and with a significantly increased vulnerability to stressful situations. In this regard, we must highlight the significant increase in cases in recent years due to the negative effects of the pandemic, confinement and inappropriate use of social networks on mental health.

At least twenty adolescents with eating disorders are being treated at UGC Mental Health Region Northern Almería, at the Hospital la Inmaculada de Huércal-Overa.