Did you know that 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder and that over 70% of them will not seek treatment; in part due to the lack of education and access to care? Or that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness? There are too many people struggling with Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder (among others), and not enough people talking about it! Which is why many don’t realize that they can get help. They struggle alone not knowing that treatment is available, does work and that recovery is possible. Similarly, family and friends are also unaware of the resources available, how eating disorders work and don’t know how to best help their loved one(s).
This is why we are inviting YOU to help us alter the statistics and speak out about eating disorders and spread awareness about what they are and how they work, treatment options and availability and that there is hope for those who suffer because recovery is possible!
The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) holds an annual National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The theme this year is “Let’s Get Real” and according to NEDA’s website (https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-involved/nedawareness) the goal is to expand the conversation and highlight stories we don’t often hear. This year NEDA Week begins on Monday, February 26 and runs through Sunday, March 6 and Living Hope is excited to be sponsoring multiple events throughout the week!
We encourage you to share your story on social media and use the hashtags: #NEDAwareness, #LetsGetReal and #LHNEDAwk18