29 kg woman battling anorexia was asked for ‘diet tips’ by nurses shortly before she died

Jennifer Michelle Matters, suffering from severe anorexia, was asked by nurses about her 'secret to being skinny' shortly before she took her own life.

Jennifer Michelle Matters, a 22-year-old battling severe anorexia, was asked an insensitive question by nurses during her treatment over three years ago. After a two-year struggle with anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder, the young woman took her own life in May 2021. Shortly before she died, the nurses allegedly asked her about the “secret to being skinny”. Over two years, the nursing graduate who was pursuing her higher studies in Adelaide, Australia, fought hard against this illness, but it took a toll on her health. At her lowest point, she weighed just 65 lbs.

The woman in Australia was battling anorexia nervosa. (Representational image)

According to Jennifer's father, the hospital staff often lacked empathy, asking her for diet tips and complimenting her on her thinness.

Jennifer often shared with her parents how tired she was from fighting her condition. After enduring the emotional trauma associated with her condition, Jennifer made the tragic decision to take her own life in May 2021.

Comments and questions like these can significantly impact the mental health of patients, raising serious questions about the hospital staff.

Here's how the internet reacted:

One of the Instagram users, kristy143, sharing her own experience commented, "This is devastating. How could someone treating her say this? I’m recovered and back when I had anorexia. No one knew how to handle it either but today they should and that’s just callous. My heart hurts for this girl and her family".

A second user, mr.andreas.stark, commented, "Mental illness is real. Be kind".

However, there was a mixed response from all users. Some supported Jennifer, while others backed the hospital staff. Many said you cannot blame anyone for someone's mental illness.

About anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where a person is afraid of gaining weight and has a distorted view of their body, which leads them to eat very little and lose a lot of weight.