Here's a little bit of info from the NEDA website. . .
About NEDAwareness Week (source)
Our Theme: "Everybody Knows Somebody": This year's NEDAwareness Week theme is "Everybody Knows Somebody" because awareness of eating disorders is certainly spreading, as is the knowledge that eating disorders do not discriminate—ANYONE can be effected. Last year, NEDAwareness Week registrants spanned all 50 states and 30 other countries. This year we strive to surpass these numbers, and have everyone commit to doing just one thing!
Our Mission: The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to ultimately increase outreach and awareness of eating disorders and body image issues, while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment resources. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses - not choices - and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.
What is NEDAwareness Week?: NEDAwareness Week is a collective effort of volunteers, including eating disorder professionals, health care providers, students, educators, social workers, organizations and individuals committed to raising awareness of eating disorders. The impact of increased outreach efforts leads to a greater chance of people seeking out resources and help for an eating disorder, which ultimately saves lives.
How NEDAwareness Week Works: NEDA asks everyone to do just one thing to help raise awareness and provide accurate information about eating disorders. NEDAwareness Week participants can choose from a huge range of ways to get involved: Distribute info pamphlets and put up posters, write one letter for our Media Watchdog program, register as a Volunteer Speaker or host a Volunteer Speaker, post information on Facebook, or plan interactive and educational events like a meditation and yoga event, panel discussion, fashion show, movie screening, art exhibit and more.
As a NEDAwareness Week participant you can be involved in any way that works with your schedule, resources, community, and interests. These events and activities are vital to attracting public media attention - on local, national and international levels.
_______________________
I am so thankful that we have an entire week dedicated to eating disorder awareness and prevention. Anorexia, bulimia etc are such rampant illnesses that need some serious attention on all levels. There are lots of ways to get involved this week, even if it's just taking time to read up on ED's and educate yourself a little, or sending a few encouraging notes to a friend who is struggling. Reach out. Take action. Get involved. Let's fight together. Each and every sufferer is worth it.
Thankful that God is using you to speak to others about this topic... just further proof that He does not waste any of our pain!
ReplyDeleteThank you for always being so willing to share on this subject. I have always hesitated to share my own story (maybe some old fears hanging on?), but tonight I wrote parts of it out. And it felt good. Thank you for being an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you! It is hard to write our stories and be vulnerable, but I find that every-time we/I share, God opens big doors for not only more personal healing but hope for others.
Delete