With National Eating Disorder Awareness just around the corner, February 21st to 27th, we need to know what we can do to make NEDA week 2010 the best. Allow me to show you five events that are sure to get you and you friend and family involved in a positive way. Helping out this NEDA week can be eye-opening and educational if include ourselves within the NEDA community.
Walk/Runs:
Sign up for a NEDA race at Pierce College in Woodland, California or Coldstream Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Both of these locations are hosting walk/runs and are being held to promote awareness and raise funds for research and treatment of these complicated mental illnesses. Pierce College holds its race in early March while Coldstream Park’s event occurs late that month.
Book Signings:
Many authors of eating disorder recovery books and biographies hold discussions and book signings during the tenure of the week and in the months following. Last year, the best selling author of eating disorder recovery books held such a signing and discussed her book Goodbye Ed, Hello Me and was greatly received.
Kick-Off Events:
Nothing begins NEDA week better than a good kick-off event. Luckily, Rosalind Wiseman is going to be at the Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt in Towson, Maryland on Saturday, February 21st to hold her kick-off event for NEDA week 2010. Be sure to call in at (410)938-3157 before the date for the required pre-registration.
Art Exhibitions:
Before NEDA week, a number of art contests are held to create a library of art to be displayed at events such as the “Love Your Tree” Poster Exhibit on Tuesday, February 23rd. The “Love Your Tree” Poster Exhibit held an art campaign during December of 2009 to encourage college students to use art to promote a healthy body image.
Discussions:
On Sunday, January 31st, a discussion session will occur at the Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore (for anyone within the area). The session is titled “Promoting Self Esteem and Healthy Body Image”. Several speakers (rabbis, M.D.’s, Ed. D’s and more) will be holding discussions about communication and the importance of speaking about problems with eating disorders, adhering to this year’s NEDA week theme: “It’s time to talk about it.” And, of course, there will be refreshments.
These five events will help you to get as much as possible out of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2010. Knowledge is power, a weapon against that which subdues our creativity and appreciation for the beauty around us. Allow this NEDA week to supply you with that invaluable wisdom, for even those who don’t or haven’t suffered from an eating disorder have an opportunity to learn from the discussion, art, and literature offered during the week.
