Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Nationwide, people are uniting this week to spread awareness and information about eating disorders and mental health. Learn how to join the cause, get involved at Butler, and why bringing attention to the illness is so important.
Grace Reynolds | greynolds@butler.edu
This week, February 27th through March 5th is eating disorder awareness week. The week has been nationally recognized for over thirty years as an effort to educate the public on eating disorders and bring to light their prevalence, signs, and symptoms. The week also aims to destigmatize the disorder and give a voice to those who have struggled with it. Across the country, events such as info sessions, wellness practices, and social media campaigns will take place.
At Butler University the Mental Health and Well-Being board has planned some events. There will be a build-your-own snack bag event on Monday afternoon, an eating disorder tabling session on Thursday, and a week-long clothing donation drive to the Julian Center. These events target altering negative thinking and increasing self-esteem while cultivating conversation. There will also be posts on social media to spread awareness and kindness.
However, this week is not the only chance to shine a light on the subject. Butler Counseling and Consultation Services provide eating disorder-specific group therapy meetings and connections to off-campus treatments. In addition, Bon Appetit has hired a nutritionist, Katy Maher, to work with those in recovery by helping students stick to food plans. Katy works with Bon Appetit to promote intuitive eating practices year-round. Finally, the Center for Faith and Vocation holds information sessions and events to advocate a greater understanding of food within cultural and religious spheres.
Efforts must be made to open doors to such difficult conversations and ensure that serious mental health illnesses, like eating disorders, do not get overlooked. This week creates a much-needed platform for discussion. It gives hope and respect to those that have suffered and provides resources and space to those developing negative thoughts or feelings. Public awareness is key in destigmatizing eating disorders and making mental health conversations a priority in society.
The more people that get involved this week, the better! Participate in the events, join the Instagram challenge, and simply listen with an open mind! Spread awareness by posting with the hashtag #EDAW or #EDAW2023 and follow along with @bubewell to stay up to date on events happening around campus.