The study and treatment of eating disorders is woefully lacking, especially for men. The majority of Americans think this is a woman’s disease, but statistics show that 10 million men in the United States will suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. 

The first ever World Eating Disorder Action Day was held June 2nd, 2016 as a part of a global activist movement to raise awareness of eating disorders. This campaign was developed by a diverse group of activists representing affected individuals, parents/caregivers and professionals in the eating disorders field. Leading the efforts was a steering committee of 15 individuals from across the world, including NEDA’s own Yasemin Merwede!

The Senate is getting ready to vote on the Mental Health Reform Act of 2016, which could have a large impact on the eating disorders community. The bill aims to expand access to mental health services, including eating disorders treatment.

June 2nd, 2016 will mark the very first World Eating Disorders Action Day. While different countries and organizations have long had awareness weeks (such as NEDAwareness week and the Canadian Eating Disorders Awareness Week), this is the first time eating disorders are getting global attention. In fact, the whole day has been developed by grassroots advocacy efforts of over 150 organizations in over 40 countries.

Before I started as the national walk manager at NEDA, I coordinated the Westchester, PA Walk two years in a row. Working with coordinators across the country to spread awareness and foster supportive communities is my dream job. More than 15,000 people in 65 cities participate in NEDA Walks, and I am grateful to be a part of it all!

So, I want to tell you a little bit more about what NEDA Walks are and why I think they are so special. 

The New York State Legislature voted last week to approve a restoration of funding to the Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders (CCCEDs) back to $1.2 million in the 2016-2017 state budget. This is big news because that funding has been dramatically slashed in recent years, with some centers receiving only $40,000 per center, which essentially eliminated their ability to provide care.

NEDA took a group of amazing advocates to Albany to lobby for the restoration of these funds last month - this victory proves that our voices are having an impact!

As a former model, commercial actress and host, I enjoyed my share of success within the fashion and entertainment industries. I also suffered from binge eating disorder, bulimia and anorexia nervosa for the length of my career—although the behaviors didn’t begin in the industry, they were exacerbated by things I heard, saw and experienced: things like sexual harassment, trauma, bullying, exposure to wild parties, drinking, drugs and the daily pressure to lose weight.

The 2016 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week was an enormous success. The campaign reached nearly 200 million people with information and resources through social media alone, and close to 40,000 people took the online screening. Another bright spot was the number of generous landmark buildings that were iluminated in green and blue in observance of NEDAwareness Week.

In November 2007, sitting alone in my cluttered, overly crowded and chaotic shared dorm room, huddled under mounds of blankets with a random episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer playing in the background, I opened my laptop and set out on a journey to put a name to what I had been silently suffering from every day for months.

With the national spotlight on eating disorders during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, it’s a great time to educate our elected leaders from across the country about eating disorders, and to ask for their support of important legislation that would have a positive impact on our community. That is why we are dedicating Wednesday, February 24th to a Day of Action, and we invite you to join us!