FREEDcan

FREEDcan is an early intervention model for eating disorders co-adapted for youth-serving community treatment and primary care settings in Canada. FREEDcan focuses on widespread screening and quick connection to services for youth with early stage eating disorders.

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FREEDcan Updates

New Townhall Recording Available Now!

Townhall Summary

Our first FREEDcan Townhall brought together partners from across the network to share progress and shape the future of early intervention for young people with eating disorders. FREEDcan is gaining national momentum, with five pilot sites at different stages of implementation, including Grey Bruce, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, BC/Yukon and Ontario. Early successes include increased awareness and confidence in screening, stronger collaboration across sectors, and training for a wide range of staff and providers across youth-serving community-based treatment settings... The discussion also highlighted key challenges, such as integrating screening into diverse workflows, managing capacity, and working toward sustainable implementation.

Research and evaluation are central to FREEDcan. We are looking at both the impact of early intervention and how the model is being applied in community settings. Equity and inclusion are central to FREEDcan’s build and rollout, with a focus on engaging youth, incorporating lived experience, and expanding access across underserved communities. This work is anchored in strong partnerships and focused on building a flexible, resilient system where EDs are caught early and met with a suite of initial response options and evidence-based interventions. Looking ahead, FREEDcan will continue to grow its network of pilot sites, explore digital solutions to improve access, and build the evidence base for early intervention across Canada.

The recording of our first Townhall is now available on our events page. Catch up on key updates, announcements, discussions, and more!

Click below to view the full recording.

FREEDcan Events

FREEDcan Learning Sessions

Upcoming Events

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FREEDcan Training Sessions

Upcoming Events

Level 1 & 2 Training: Virtual Coaching Session Series June 24, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
These coaching sessions are for staff and providers working in youth (ages 8–25) treatment settings who have ideally completed FREEDcan Level 1 and 2 training.

These interactive sessions are offered in a flexible drop-in format. Sessions will address questions attendees bring up; this might include questions around using the ODES, talking to young people who screen positive, determining next steps, and more.

Meeting link for all sessions : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82566852678?pwd=dnzevafmHhngsjxQJEDafEwlOJs3QM.1
Level 1 & 2 Training: Virtual Coaching Session Series July 22, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
These coaching sessions are for staff and providers working in youth (ages 8–25) treatment settings who have ideally completed FREEDcan Level 1 and 2 training.

These interactive sessions are offered in a flexible drop-in format. Sessions will address questions attendees bring up; this might include questions around using the ODES, talking to young people who screen positive, determining next steps, and more.

Meeting link for all sessions : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82566852678?pwd=dnzevafmHhngsjxQJEDafEwlOJs3QM.1
FREEDcan Level 1- Become Eating Disorder Informed: Early Intervention for Eating Disorders August 05, 2026 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
FREEDcan's Level 1 foundational training designed for all staff and providers working in youth-serving treatment settings (ages 8–25), including community mental health and addiction services, family health teams, primary care, integrated youth services, community health centers, campus mental health, etc.

The session will be led by Aryel Maharaj, M.Ed, RP, from the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), where participants will learn about eating disorders, risk factors, weight stigma and dieting, early warning signs, the importance of early intervention, and how to engage in supportive conversations with young people.

Scan the QR code or click the link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/udkmHTjGTg6YxD9zUqqURQ
Level 1 & 2 Training: Virtual Coaching Session Series September 23, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
These coaching sessions are for staff and providers working in youth (ages 8–25) treatment settings who have ideally completed FREEDcan Level 1 and 2 training.

These interactive sessions are offered in a flexible drop-in format. Sessions will address questions attendees bring up; this might include questions around using the ODES, talking to young people who screen positive, determining next steps, and more.

Meeting link for all sessions : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82566852678?pwd=dnzevafmHhngsjxQJEDafEwlOJs3QM.1

FREEDcan Network

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Are you interested in supporting the development of the FREEDcan model?

Youth and family advisors support the ongoing development of the FREEDcan model. If you have lived/living expertise with disordered eating/eating disorder (no formal diagnosis needed) and want to get involved, please reach out to freedcan@freedcan.ca to learn more.

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