<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. 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. 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. 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.