Our Approach
At the heart of our foundation is the belief that
recovery from eating disorders is possible, that everyone
deserves access to quality support, and that no one should
have to walk the journey alone.
Our Mission
To ignite hope and improve recovery outcomes across Alberta by evolving care, expanding access, and increasing understanding of eating disorders.
Our Vision
Albertans affected by eating disorders experience lasting hope and healing through access to exceptional, affordable treatment and community support at every stage of their journey.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CARE
Our Continuum of Recovery
This holistic model is our mission in action. We're creating a future where recovery is not only possible, but expected. A future where support is accessible and effective, and no one feels alone in their healing.
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We believe a future where people feel safe seeking help, starts with changing the conversation. Eating disorders are still deeply misunderstood and often hidden in silence. This pillar is about reshaping public perception, replacing stigma with compassion and myths with knowledge. Through education, outreach, and community engagement, we’re building a culture that sees eating disorders as serious but treatable mental health issues. Widespread awareness leads to earlier intervention, more informed communities, and a stronger foundation for healing.
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For individuals facing moderate to severe eating disorders, timely and specialized treatment can be life-saving, but accessing it is often overwhelming and confusing. Our role is to make that path clearer. As a trusted community partner, we act as a bridge between individuals and the care they need. We stay closely connected to programs and professionals, offering personalized referrals, informed recommendations, and continued guidance. This pillar is about ensuring no one has to navigate a complex system alone, and that people get the right care, when they need it most.
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The broader goal of eating disorder recovery goes beyond disorder management, it's about helping people reclaim a full and meaningful life. This pillar seeks to engage individuals after they have achieved strong-recovery and moved into a place where identity, purpose, and joy can take root again. We believe long-term healing is sustained through connection, contribution, and a sense of belonging. The work within this pillar focuses on engaging people in the stages beyond recovery, as their capacity to give back continues to grow. Whether through mentoring, volunteering, or offering their own unique contributions, we support individuals not just in recovering, but in truly thriving.
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To truly transform recovery outcomes, we need to equip the entire care system, not just the specialists. This pillar is about elevating eating disorder knowledge across the healthcare and mental health sectors, ensuring more providers are prepared to recognize, respond to, and support those affected. We’re developing accessible, evidence-informed training rooted in both clinical expertise and lived experience. By challenging outdated assumptions and closing critical knowledge gaps, we’re helping to build a more informed, empathetic, and effective system of care, one that better serves the diverse needs of our community. A key part of this work is establishing ourselves as a trusted thought leader, collaborating with healthcare providers and community organizations to broaden our impact and deepen our reach.
SILVER LININGS FOUNDATION
Our History
Founded in 2014 by a group of concerned parents and community members, Silver Linings Foundation set out to address critical gaps in the continuum of care for eating disorders. At that time, Alberta was one of the few provinces without a live-in treatment centre for eating disorders. From the beginning, our long-term vision was to establish Alberta’s first such centre, and in 2024, that vision became a reality. Over that decade, we learned an incredible amount about the challenges and possibilities in this field.
What began as a response to a critical gap in care has evolved into a holistic approach that reimagines the entire system of support for eating disorders. Today, our work focuses on defining what meaningful recovery truly looks like, shaping a more inclusive and responsive care landscape, and identifying the building blocks for a stronger future for eating disorder treatment in Alberta.
We recognize that recovery is not a straight line, and that healing looks different for everyone. People enter their journey at many different stages, which is why we developed our Continuum of Recovery, a model anchored by five key pillars that guide individuals toward lasting support and well-being.
