TY - JOUR
AU - N. Obeid
AU - J. Porter
AU - A. LaMarre
AU - P. Silva-Roy
AU - J. S. Coelho
AU - G. Dimitropoulos
AU - A. Maharaj
AU - S. Feder
AU - M. Norris
AU - W. Spettigue
AU - S. Jones
AU - S. Kumar
AU - S. Phillips
AU - E. Tam
AU - C. Ford
AU - G. McVey
AU - J. Couturier
AU - J. Lam
AU - S. Drouin
AU - M. Laliberte
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Early intervention for eating disorders (EDs) models and services is not formalized in Canada, despite increasing demand for care and well-established clinical, social, and economic benefits of intervening early. PURPOSE: FREEDcan (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders-Canada) introduces a community-based model to improve early identification, initial response, and access to evidence-based interventions for young people aged 8-25 years with early-stage EDs. METHODS: FREEDcan was co-adapted from the United Kingdom's evidence-based FREED model for the Canadian context with a multi-partner advisory group of clinicians, community organizations, youth and family advisors, researchers, and an implementation science team. It has three pillars: early identification, initial response, and evidence-based interventions for early-stage EDs. Implementation is supported by intersectoral partnerships, community-driven adaptation, and integrated workforce expansion to build capacity and facilitate sustainable, integrated early intervention. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES: From a service perspective, FREEDcan aims to improve early detection of EDs, reduce duration of untreated illness through rapid, low-barrier responses, and increase access to stage-appropriate interventions. Additional implementation-based outcomes are anticipated, including evidence for core components, costs, and adaptations relevant to scaling this model in diverse regions across Canada. CONCLUSIONS: FREEDcan has the potential to provide an accessible, youth-centered, developmentally appropriate approach to early ED care within a collaborative, community-driven, integrated care framework. Using a learning health systems approach, it strives for continuous evaluation to support real-time learning, opportunities for model improvement, and evidence-generation for a new integrated model of care for early-stage ED care for young people in Canada.; FREEDcan is a new early intervention model in Canada aimed at helping young people aged 8–25 years receive support for eating disorders (EDs) as early as possible. Although the need for ED care is increasing, early intervention has not been widely available in Canada. FREEDcan, adapted from the UK’s FREED model, seeks to address this gap by identifying EDs early, responding quickly, and providing treatments that are proven to work in the early stages. The model was developed through a collaborative process that integrates research, clinical expertise, and lived expertise. FREEDcan involves partnerships across different sectors including community and primary care so that early intervention can be built into existing care systems. FREEDcan also works to raise awareness about EDs, expand and strengthen the workforce, and make early support more accessible. FREEDcan’s community-driven strategy helps young people and their families receive timely and appropriate support no matter where they live. The model is continuously evaluated, allowing for real-time learning and adaptation for real-time learning and adaptation. By fostering collaboration and integrated care, FREEDcan has the potential to significantly improve early intervention for EDs in Canada, making care more accessible, equitable, and effective.; eng
AD - Eating Disorder Research Lab, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.; Provincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program for Children and Adolescents, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.; Department of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.; Calgary Eating Disorder Program, Alberta Children's Hospital, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.; National Eating Disorder Information Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.; Eating Disorders Program, Mental Health, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada.; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.; Body Peace Canada, Eating Disorders Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS, Canada.; Body Brave Canada, Hamilton, ON, Canada.; Eating Disorders Ontario, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.; Pediatric Eating Disorder Program, Mental Health, McMaster's Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada.; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.; Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Ottawa, ON, Canada.; St-Joseph's Eating Disorder Program, Mental Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
AN - 41688846
BT - Transl Behav Med
C5 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
CP - 1
DA - Jan 7
DO - 10.1093/tbm/ibaf092
DP - NLM
IS - 1
JF - Transl Behav Med
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: Early intervention for eating disorders (EDs) models and services is not formalized in Canada, despite increasing demand for care and well-established clinical, social, and economic benefits of intervening early. PURPOSE: FREEDcan (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders-Canada) introduces a community-based model to improve early identification, initial response, and access to evidence-based interventions for young people aged 8-25 years with early-stage EDs. METHODS: FREEDcan was co-adapted from the United Kingdom's evidence-based FREED model for the Canadian context with a multi-partner advisory group of clinicians, community organizations, youth and family advisors, researchers, and an implementation science team. It has three pillars: early identification, initial response, and evidence-based interventions for early-stage EDs. Implementation is supported by intersectoral partnerships, community-driven adaptation, and integrated workforce expansion to build capacity and facilitate sustainable, integrated early intervention. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES: From a service perspective, FREEDcan aims to improve early detection of EDs, reduce duration of untreated illness through rapid, low-barrier responses, and increase access to stage-appropriate interventions. Additional implementation-based outcomes are anticipated, including evidence for core components, costs, and adaptations relevant to scaling this model in diverse regions across Canada. CONCLUSIONS: FREEDcan has the potential to provide an accessible, youth-centered, developmentally appropriate approach to early ED care within a collaborative, community-driven, integrated care framework. Using a learning health systems approach, it strives for continuous evaluation to support real-time learning, opportunities for model improvement, and evidence-generation for a new integrated model of care for early-stage ED care for young people in Canada.; FREEDcan is a new early intervention model in Canada aimed at helping young people aged 8–25 years receive support for eating disorders (EDs) as early as possible. Although the need for ED care is increasing, early intervention has not been widely available in Canada. FREEDcan, adapted from the UK’s FREED model, seeks to address this gap by identifying EDs early, responding quickly, and providing treatments that are proven to work in the early stages. The model was developed through a collaborative process that integrates research, clinical expertise, and lived expertise. FREEDcan involves partnerships across different sectors including community and primary care so that early intervention can be built into existing care systems. FREEDcan also works to raise awareness about EDs, expand and strengthen the workforce, and make early support more accessible. FREEDcan’s community-driven strategy helps young people and their families receive timely and appropriate support no matter where they live. The model is continuously evaluated, allowing for real-time learning and adaptation for real-time learning and adaptation. By fostering collaboration and integrated care, FREEDcan has the potential to significantly improve early intervention for EDs in Canada, making care more accessible, equitable, and effective.; eng
PY - 2026
SN - 1613-9860
ST - FREEDcan: an integrated early intervention for eating disorders care model for community and primary care settings in Canada
T1 - FREEDcan: an integrated early intervention for eating disorders care model for community and primary care settings in Canada
T2 - Transl Behav Med
TI - FREEDcan: an integrated early intervention for eating disorders care model for community and primary care settings in Canada
U1 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.1093/tbm/ibaf092
VL - 16
VO - 1613-9860
Y1 - 2026
ER -