When people hear that I?m on the board of MEDA ? the Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association ? located in Newton and servicing all of Massachusetts, a common response is ?Oh that sounds depressing.?
Actually, it?s quite the opposite. MEDA is an organizing dedicated to: (directly from their mission statement)
? the prevention and treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating. MEDA?s mission is to prevent the continuing spread of eating disorders through educational awareness and early detection. MEDA serves as a support network and resource for clients, loved ones, clinicians, educators and the general public.
MEDA?s vision:
MEDA envisions a society that accepts all body types, understands the need for a more diversified approach to care and explores alternative means to allow people to fully recover.
How many women (or men for that matter) do you know who struggle with body image issues? That is, no matter what they look like they?re never satisfied? Maybe you know someone who struggles with disordered eating and is overly obsessive about food. They may not have a full blown eating disorder, yet these are some of the signs to be aware of for preventative measures.
According to a statistic on the website of the National Eating Disorders Association:
?as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder.
A variety of eating disorder and mental health related websites suggest that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate among all mental illnesses.
How MEDA Helps
MEDA is located in Newton and offers a variety of services for those living with an eating disorder, their families and the professionals who serve them including:
- Counseling, coaching intakes, assessments and group programs for those living with an eating disorder
- Professional membership for individual clinicians and wellness professionals who specialize and work with eating disorder patients
- Partnership program for eating disorder recovery treatment centers.
- Education and awareness programs for students, educators, and health care professionals
- Networking opportunities for college students
- Support groups
Why I Got Involved
I got involved for two reasons: 1) having struggled with body image issues myself over the years I believe in what MEDA stands for and 2) because your worth is not measured by what you look like.
I am excited and honored to be involved with an organization that wants to promote acceptance of all body types.
How You Can Get Involved
Is promoting positive body image and acceptance of all body types of interest or importance to you either as an individual or wellenss professiona? You can support MEDA in the following ways:
- Vote for them to win a new website. It?s been a tight race in the JackRabbit Designs Carrots for a Cause web design content. MEDA is in 1st/2nd place depending on the day and could use your help. You can vote daily until August 12 by clicking here. The winner gets a brand new website valued at up to $50,000!
- Follow them on Twitter or Like MEDA on Facebook to join the conversation and end eating disorders
- Become a Volunteer.
- Become a professional member. Are you a mental health provider or wellness professional who works with eating disorder clients? Consider becoming a professional member of MEDA and receive education, networking opportunities, and referrals to your business.
- Sponsor or attend their annual Gala. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available for the November event.
- Visit the website to learn more about eating disorders, recovery, prevention and MEDA as an organization.
Promoting prevention, education and awareness around body image and eating disorders is not depressing. The alternative, however, tells a different story.
If you or someone you know might be living with an eating disorder, help is available. Contact MEDA, a Massachusetts resource providing confidential and accessible care to Massachusetts families.
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