1. The department of mental health, in collaboration with the departments of health and senior services, elementary and secondary education, and higher education and in consultation with the Missouri eating disorder council established in section 630.575, shall develop and implement the following education and awareness programs:

(1) Health care professional education and training programs designed to prevent and treat eating disorders. Such programs shall include:

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 630.580

  • Department: the department of mental health of the state of Missouri. See Missouri Laws 630.005
  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of the statutes, mean the section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other section is expressly designated in the reference. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020

(a) Discussion of various strategies with patients from at-risk and diverse populations to promote positive behavior change and healthy lifestyles to prevent eating disorders;

(b) Identification of individuals with eating disorders and those who are at risk for developing an eating disorder;

(c) Conducting a comprehensive assessment of individual and familial health risk factors;

(2) Education and training programs for elementary and secondary and higher education professionals. Such programs shall include:

(a) Distribution of educational materials to middle and high school students in both public and private schools, including but not limited to utilization of the National Women’s Health Information Center’s Body Wise materials;

(b) Development of a curriculum which focuses on a healthy body image, identifying the warning signs and behaviors associated with an eating disorder, and ways to assist the individual, friends, or family members who may have an eating disorder; and

(3) General eating disorder awareness and education programs.

2. The department of mental health may seek the cooperation and assistance of any state department or agency, as the department deems necessary, in the development and implementation of the awareness and education programs implemented under this section.