National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAwareness Week) begins February 21, 2016. Faculty, staff and students in the school of public health community have joined together with SPEAK GW, the Colonial Health Center, GW Students for Recovery and the Student Association to co-sponsor a week-long series of events from February 22 - 26, 2016. These events will shed light on the prevalence and consequences of eating disorders, specifically in the college setting, and how we can promote our own health and well-being and that of our friends, family, and members of the GW community and colleges around the country.
Schedule of Activities
Monday, Feb. 22
Trash the Scale | 12 – 2 pm | Marvin Center, 1st Floor Elevators
Promote the importance of focusing on health, not a number, by throwing away your scale. Scales will be provided for students to graffiti.
Tuesday, Feb. 23
SPEAK GW Social | 7 – 8 pm | GW Serenity Shack, 2208 F St., NW, Lower Level
Stop by the Serenity Shack where members of SPEAK GW have their weekly meeting. Come meet members for a social. SPEAK GW will have informational resources available and free NEDA 2016 gear!
Wednesday, Feb. 24
Illuminate Hope | 5:30 – 7 pm | Kogan Plaza
Join SPEAK GW and GW Spoken Word Collective to bring eating disorder awareness out of darkness. Come light a candle and share messages of hope and positivity.
Buff and Blue "Happy Hour" | 4:30 – 5:30 pm | Gelman Library, Room 219
Buff & Blue Happy Hour is a weekly relaxation event hosted by the Colonial Health Center with a focus to help you relax and recharge your mind and body!
Thursday, Feb. 25
More Than a Body: Celebrate You Fair | 11 am – 2 pm | Marvin Center, Great Hall
Colonial Health Center representatives and area community resource providers host a fair focusing on general health and wellness, body image and self-care. Drop by for information, giveaways, and a free chair massage.
An Evening with Neesha Arter | 7:30 pm | Milken Institute School of Public Health, B100A Auditorium
Neesha Arter, author of the book, "Controlled: The Worst Night of My Life and Its Aftermath," joins GW for an engaging discussion about living with and recovering from eating disorders. Come hear this nationally-acclaimed inspirational advocate and stay for the student panel following Neesha's remarks. Free copies of her book will be available to students.
Friday, Feb. 26
Mindful Eating Group | 12 – 1 pm | Marvin Center, Colonial Health Center
Join Nancy Cass, the MHS Eating Disorders Services Coordinator, for a group focused on mindful eating in college. Students will learn skills including how to utilize all of their senses when selecting food, choose food that is both satisfying and nourishing to their body, acknowledge responses to food in non-judgmental manner, and become aware of hunger and fullness cues.
Join the conversation prior to NEDA Week by participating in these virtual events:
Thursday, Feb. 11
Google Hangout | 9 pm EST/6 pm PST | go.gwu.edu/hangout
Find out how SPEAK GW turned advocacy into action to fight the stigma surrounding eating disorders on college campuses.
Tuesday, Feb. 16
@EDhope #EDHchat | 9 pm EST/6 pm PST | go.gwu.edu/EDHchat
Join the national conversation to learn how students at GW are making a difference.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder and would like to speak with someone, you may reach the National Eating Disorders Association helpline (Mon - Thurs 9am - 9pm; Fri 9am - 5pm) at 888-931-2237. If you are a GW student looking for support, there are on-campus resources to help including the University Counseling Center, Student Health Service, and the student organization Students Promoting Eating Disorder Awareness & Knowledge (SPEAK) at George Washington University. The Colonial Health Center offers confidential individual and group support.