Embody (formerly Jessie’s Legacy) equips BC parents and professionals with trusted resources to support young people before they develop an eating disorder. Embody is a provincial program of Family Services of the North Shore, and one of the seven BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information.
Our Program
Embody provides tools and resources to address disordered eating, body image, mental health, weight stigma, and self-compassion for children and youth of all ages. We create original content, based on current research, and feature stories from people who’ve been there. We can also help you find more support, if you need it.
Embody also leads the Provincial Eating Disorders Awareness Campaign (PEDAW), which runs every year from February 1-7. This annual, province-wide campaign raises awareness around eating disorders – including prevention, early intervention, and treatment – and explores media literacy, a healthier body image, self-compassion, resiliency, and more.
We invite schools and community organizations throughout British Columbia to host their own awareness events and activities.
If you would like to volunteer or learn more about Embody, please contact us at embody@familyservices.bc.ca
Our Story
In 2004, Jessie’s Legacy Eating Disorders Prevention program was launched to honour Jessie Alexander – a young North Shore woman who died of complications from a longstanding eating disorder. It was Jessie’s hope to help others suffering from disordered eating and depression. While Jessie was never able to realize her dream, her legacy continues to inspire us, each and every day.
This program is dedicated to Jessie Alexander, who inspires us to practice daily kindness – both to ourselves and to others. Known for her warm smile, easy laugh, and unwavering compassion, this is her legacy of love.
Thousands of children and youth across BC continue to battle clinical eating disorders and disordered eating, often fuelled by diet culture and unrealistic beauty standards: 58% of Canadian grade 9 and 10 girls are trying to lose weight, including 50% of those who are “normal” weight. (Canadian Journal of Public Health).
In 2024, we re-launched as Embody to reflect a renewed focus on prevention. The earlier we can help children to feel at home in their bodies, the less likely they are to develop more serious eating or self-esteem issues. We equip parents, caregivers, and professionals with trusted information to support kids before they develop an eating disorder.
Our world often presents a narrow view of the “ideal” body. Embody invites us to be exactly who we are; to find comfort in our skin and approach our bodies with neutral curiosity.
Partnerships
Embody is proud to be affiliated with HeretoHelp, a project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information. We’re a group of seven leading mental health and substance use non-profit agencies. Since 2003, we’ve been working together to help people live well and better prevent and manage mental health and substance use problems. To learn more about the BC Partners and Embody (formerly Jessie’s Legacy), please read our latest Impact Report.
- Anxiety Canada
- BC Schizophrenia Society
- Canadian Mental Health Association British Columbia
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
- FamilySmart
- Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia (a branch of Lookout Housing and Health Society)
- The BC Partners are funded by BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services – an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority.
- For more information, visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca