<b>Perspectives of N</b><b>on-Medical Professionals Working in a Mental Health Servi</b><b>ce</b><b> on Eating Disorders: Awareness, Knowledge, and Stigmatization</b>

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious mental health conditions often beginning in adolescence and associated with significant morbidity. This study aimed to examine the views and attitudes of non-medical mental health professionals toward EDs, and to assess their awareness, knowledge, and stigmatizing beliefs.<b> </b>A study-specific questionnaire was administered to non-medical professionals working in a mental health service in XXXXX, Turkey. Participants were randomly assigned to one of six clinical vignettes, each depicting a young person with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), depression, or type-1 diabetes.<b> </b>Forty-two professionals participated. Only 28.6% (n=12) correctly identified the disorder in their assigned vignette. BED had the highest correct identification rate (50%). Knowledge about ARFID was notably low. Participants commonly believed EDs primarily affect females, are of short duration, less responsive to treatment, and that individuals are often blamed for their condition.<b> </b>Findings highlight limited awareness and knowledge of EDs—particularly AN and ARFID—among non-medical mental health staff. Misconceptions that EDs are self-inflicted or trivial emphasize the need for targeted anti-stigma and educational initiatives.