Recognizing National Eating Disorders Week

By Marlee Card •

From Feb. 24 to March 2, National Eating Disorders Awareness Week highlights the impact eating disorders can have on young people across the country. Several organizations are raising awareness and helping those who are struggling.

NSU’s connection with Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic allows students to access the support and resources they need to address mental health challenges, including eating disorders, according to Natalia Gutierrez, assistant director of NSU’s Center for Student Counseling Services and Well-Being.

“At student counseling, we aim to create an environment where students can work on both their academic and personal goals,” Gutierrez said.

The NSU Center for Student Counseling Services and Well-Being offers students 10 free counseling sessions, providing them with a resource to address eating disorders, or other mental health concerns.

“Each student comes in with their own unique story, and getting to connect with our students and helping them navigate the next best step for their mental and physical well-being is foundational in our process,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said the center will take the necessary steps to ensure that all students, regardless of the severity of their mental health concerns, receive the help they need.

“There are also times where a student may need additional and more specialized support. In these cases, we work with them to ensure that they are connected external community partners for continuation of care,” Gutierrez said.

Additionally, the NSU Chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon, a nationally recognized sorority, has been partnered with the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders since 1985.

Macie Troncone, vice president of programming, explained the importance of ANAD on campus, and the steps Delta Phi Epsilon takes to eradicate the stigma around eating disorders.

“[Delta Phi Epsilon] has always been a place that has placed great importance for individuality, valuing people and girls for who they are, not what they look like,” Troncone said. “Being ambassadors for healthy attitudes, bodies and behaviors, within our sisterhood and our sorority, but also within the NSU community, is definitely what we’re striving for.

Troncone said understanding eating disorders is important and they impact individuals beyond just physical health.

“[Eating disorders] are actually a serious issue and potentially life-threatening illness that people struggle with, so just being there for not only just sisters, but if anyone came to me asking about resources, just being able to be there with open arms, and take them seriously,” Troncone said.

Gutierrez said students need to be mindful of their mental and physical well-being.

“At the end of the day, our students safety, health, and well-being are our priority,” Gutierrez said.

Students can call the Center for Student Counseling and Well-being at 954-424-6911.

Tatiana Zelman, sophomore communication major, contributed to this report.