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The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is waging war against eating disorders and unrealistic “body-perfect” ideals – as well as the “secretive and shameful” attitudes held by many people towards these life-threatening illnesses – during the 23rd annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 21-27.
Themed It’s Time to Talk About it! this year, NEDAwareness Week is the non-profit group’s largest public outreach campaign, held each year to raise consciousness across the country about the potentially life-threatening seriousness of eating disorders and the societal pressures, attitudes and behaviors which contribute to them. Also to spread a message of hope: Help is available, recovery is possible and those affected are not alone in their struggle!
Commented Lynn Grefe, CEO of NEDA. “It really is time to talk about eating disorders, because people die, with anorexia having the highest death rate of any mental illness. You wouldn’t be ashamed of developing asthma, diabetes, cancer or hundreds of other medical conditions. The sooner we get people to talk about it, the sooner we can get people to the help they need. It is necessary to educate upcoming generations about the issues that surround and lead to eating disorders. And to do that, we also need to address the societal pressures and the unrealistic images we are bombarded with in the media that have been irrefutably and scientifically proven a contributing factor among people who develop eating disorders, depression and other esteem issues.”
NEDAwareness Week 2010 is already generating interest nationwide, with volunteers coordinating events throughout the country using their local media muscle to spread the word about eating disorders. During this week, hundreds of events will be held in communities coast to coast, offering an opportunity for people to gather information and learn how to support those with eating disorders.
Among the events planned: Seminars and workshops on college campuses and in other venues; film festivals; health fairs and screenings; awareness walks; candlelight vigils; fundraisers; artistic performances and Great Jeans Giveways to encourage people to get rid of jeans that don’t fit and to buy jeans that fit the real person. And in downtown Seattle, NEDA Laugh? is being held on Feb. 18, a comedy night benefit for NEDA.
For additional information on NEDAwareness Week, ideas about what you can do to help make a difference, statistics on eating disorders or to purchase pamphlets and other materials, visit the website.
Adds Grefe, “You can make a difference. Do just one thing to initiate awareness, education and discussion about eating disorders in your community. Invite a NEDAwareness Week volunteer speaker to your school, work or social group. Distribute NEDAwareness Week posters, pamphlets and informational handouts. Write a letter to praise an ad promoting positive body image or to protest an ad promoting negative body image. Tweet about eating disorders. Put up a link to the NEDA Web site and Helpline. If we all do something, we’ll have a huge impact!”
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), headquartered in Seattle, Wash., a not-for-profit organization, supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders and advocates for prevention, treatment and research funding for eating disorders. Since the inception of its Helpline in 1999, NEDA has referred more than 50,000 people to treatment and tallies more than 40 million hits annually on its Website. For more information on eating disorders, visit NationalEatingDisorders.org/.
Or Contact NEDA’s Live Helpline: 800-931-2237
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (PST).
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