By the National Eating Disorders Association
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is launching its 28th annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAwareness Week), Feb. 22-28, in an annual campaign to bring public attention to the critical needs of people with eating disorders and their families.
During NEDAwareness Week, thousands of people come together in communities across the country, hosting events to raise awareness about body image and bring national attention to the severity of eating disorders, which are bio-psycho-social illnesses with often devastating – sometimes life-threatening – consequences.
While there is hope and recovery is possible – particularly with early intervention – many people suffer from the long-term effects of these illnesses. And many people (including doctors) just don’t recognize the signs! Misconceptions about eating disorders are rife and too often prohibit those in need from seeking treatment. In order to improve public understanding of eating disorders and correct common myths, this year’s campaign, themed “I Had No Idea”, will focus on the importance of recognizing the diverse experiences of people affected by disordered eating.
From Feb. 22-28, each day will focus on a different challenge:
1) the role of the media,
2) diversity,
3) athletes,
4) bullying and eating disorders in youth,
5) dieting and eating disorders,
6) the role of the medical community,
7) and the role of parents.
“What you don’t know can hurt you … or someone you love. It is time to get the conversation going in communities across the country,” said Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of NEDA. “We need to educate ourselves to recognize the signs of eating disorders, which kill more people than any other mental disorder. But there is hope and there is help, particularly with early intervention.”
Individuals can participate in NED Awareness Week by attending events, conducting outreach in their communities or joining NEDA’s planned social media campaign. Some of the many events planned for the week include presentations and health fairs in schools and on college campuses; screenings of informational films; fashion shows featuring men and women of all body types; art shows; Scale-Smashing events (encouraging people to examine their “relationship” with the scale and begin a dialog); and NEDA Walks.
Also to help promote NED Awareness Week, NYC’s Empire State Building and iconic regional landmarks in dozens of other cities – including Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Mobile, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Saint Louis and Tampa – will be lit in NEDA’s signature green and blue colors to put a spotlight on the fight against eating disorders.
NEDA encourages individuals to get the conversation started in every community by pledging to do just one thing to raise awareness and provide critical information on eating disorders and related issues.
Additionally, NEDA’s Proud2Bme on Campus initiative, developed in partnership with The Recovery Village, extends the messages of NEDAwareness Week to college audiences, a population at especially high risk for eating disorders. A Proud2Bme On Campus guide will feature projects created by students at New York University and California State University – Northridge and will be available on the www.Proud2Bme.org website along with videos, a student-led Google Hangout and a webinar for campus advocates.
Research and NEDA program outcomes prove that education and outreach leads to increases in knowledge of resources and help-seeking behavior for those in need of support for an eating disorder.
Concerned for Yourself, a Friend or Family Member?
Free & Anonymous Online Screenings for Eating Disorders at: www.MyBodyScreening.org
This anonymous online screening, developed by Screening for Mental Health, Inc., takes only a few minutes and consists of a series of questions developed by treatment professionals in the eating disorders field, which are designed to indicate whether clinical help is needed. The availability of such a low-pressure, first step towards recovery is a vital tool. After completing a screening, participants (if indicated) receive referral information for local agencies for personal evaluation by a medical professional and treatment. There are two screenings available, one for college students – a particularly vulnerable demographic for the development of eating disorders – and a standard screening for other adult populations.
