Co-Producing the Transition to Eating Disorder Youth Intervention: Experience-Based Co-Design Workshops Supporting...

Eating disorders (EDs) are severe and complex psychiatric illnesses, with adolescence and young adulthood representing particularly vulnerable periods for onset, relapse and disruptions in treatment. The transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) is especially complex, raising concerns about continuity of care and support for young people and their families. The Transition for Eating Disorders Youth intervention (TEDYi) aims to address these challenges by developing a person-centered, peer-led intervention grounded in lived experience to facilitate smoother transitions across ED services.

This study represents the second phase of TEDYi and employed an Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) methodology. EBCD integrates the perspectives of young people, carers, and mental health professionals to improve transition services collaboratively. We conducted seven co-production workshops with 37 co-designers and analysed the data using reflexive thematic analysis.

Three key themes emerged: (1) Being there-the importance of ongoing, reliable support; (2) Exploring readiness-factors shaping preparedness for transition; and (3) Enhancing engagement-the role of accessible psychoeducation. Insights were further refined through two Steering Groups, which considered delivery format, setting, and intervention materials.

Co-designers valued EBCD for creating a safe space where young people and carers could openly share lived experiences and for fostering a sense of community with shared goals. They highlighted that lived experience interventions in EDs can foster more optimal outcomes while helping individuals feel recognized. These findings will inform the finalization of the TEDYi prototype and subsequent piloting across clinical sites.