For Immediate Release

 

Contact:         Susan Allen
                        News and Media Relations
                        Galloway, N.J. 08205
                        Susan.Allen@stockton.edu
                        (609) 652-4790
                        www.stockton.edu/media

Galloway, N.J. – A team of Stockton University advocates is working to prevent eating disorders through education during Disorder Eating Awareness and Prevention (DEAP) Month. Moving from head to heart, their efforts focus on educating minds, healing hearts and improving body images. 

Of all mental illnesses, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate, and every 62 minutes at least one person dies as a direct result from an eating disorder, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).

“Statistics can be forgotten, but when people hear stories, they connect with the narratives,” said Nate Morell, assistant director of Counseling Services, adding that connections on the heart level pave the way for change. 

Stockton students will share their personal experiences with eating disorders and recovery to encourage others to get help and to prevent their peers from developing disorders on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 in the Townsend Residential Life Center (TRLC), 4:30-5:45 p.m. 

“We have an amazing staff of counselors, nutritionists and wellness specialists. We work proactively to reach people early on,” Morell explained.

To those suffering, Morell’s message is “don’t wait” to get help, and to those who aren’t suffering, he challenges them to think about how they can do even better.

Eating disorders don’t always reveal themselves on the outside as they harm victims from the inside. “There’s not one look. Sometimes we don’t see an eating disorder. Sometimes the human beneath the accomplishments is suffering from stress on the inside and falling out of balance to cope with life,” explained Morell.

“Our goal is to get to the pain before it turns into a disorder. The sooner someone gets help, the better their chances are for living a healthy life,” he said. 

Stockton’s DEAP events, which are free and open to the public, are meant to start conversations on fighting stigma and to help those suffering to get treatment.

To reach those who may be at the earliest stages of an illness or beyond, disordered eating screenings will be offered Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 28-March 1, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the E-Wing gallery in front of the Library. Therapy dogs will be present to ease anxiety and help students to open up and relax. “Therapy dogs have been our rock stars. During suicide prevention week, they helped us increase our depression screenings from 200 to 900,” said Morell.

Stockton's DEAP team worked with Active Minds, the Biological Society, Delta Phi Epsilon, Student Senate, the Wellness Center, Peer Educators and the Mental Health Association to plan a month of events.

Delta Phi Epsilon will kick off DEAP Month with a series of events Feb. 13-18, which is Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Week.

Makeup-less Monday
Monday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lower D-Wing

Yoga
Monday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m.
The Lodge at Lakeside

Trash Your Insecurities
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lower D-Wing

Why I’m Better than Barbie/Ken
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lower D-Wing

Fashion Show
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m.
Campus Center Event Room

Take a Compliment, Leave a Compliment
Thursday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Lower D-Wing

Candlelight Vigil
Friday, Feb. 17, 8-10 p.m.
C-Wing Circle (weather permitting)

Additional events for DEAP Month are listed below:

Artists in Recovery Showcase
Thursday, Feb. 16, 4:30-6 p.m.
The Lodge at Lakeside

Artwork created by adolescent girls and women recovering from eating disorders at The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia will be on display to offer an in-depth look at the journey to recovery. The Renfrew Center’s art therapist, Sondra Rosenberg, will interpret the powerful themes within the images. Attendees will also learn how to identify someone who may be struggling with an eating disorder and how to help them get the treatment they need. 

Epigenetics and Stigma Reduction
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m.
F-120

Yoga, Art and Recovery Workshop
Monday, Feb. 27, 6-7:30 p.m.
The Lodge at Lakeside

Teacher Shelby Rolla will share her story of using yoga and art to recover from an eating disorder. Bring a yoga mat if you have one.

Disordered Eating Awareness Screenings
Monday, Feb. 27- Wednesday, March 1, 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
E-Wing Gallery in front of the Library

Student Eating Disorder Recovery Stories
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Townsend Residential Life Center (TRLC)

Mental Health First Aid
Friday, March 3, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Lodge at Lakeside

Binge Eating Disorder Workshop
Thursday, March 9, 3 p.m.
G-103

Nourish: Free Healthy Cooking Class
Thursday, March 30, 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Townsend Residential Life Center (TRLC)