[UPDATE: Erica Rivera, the author of “Insatiable,” is no longer able to attend “Insatiable: A Discussion of Eating Disorders.” There will still be an interesting and informative event Wednesday night featuring a panel of experts from Melrose Institute, The Emily Program and JFCS Counseling staff.]
This is a guest post by Sarah Slavick at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis.
1 in 5 women struggle with an eating disorder or disordered eating.
An estimated 10% to 15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are male.
90% of those who have eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25.
The prevalence of eating disorders means that most of us know someone who has been affected.
Erica Rivera created her memoir, Insatiable, from her experience as a young mother with anorexia, and she’ll be speaking at “Insatiable: A Discussion of Eating Disorders” Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Israel.
“My eating disorder began, in earnest, during my divorce at age 24,” she says. “After rejecting in-patient hospitalization, I cobbled together my own form of treatment over the next two years. My healing included both traditional medical and therapeutic care, plus yoga, meditation, and writing.”
Rivera will share her story alongside eating disorder specialists from The Emily Program and Park Nicollet’s Melrose Institute.
“Events like this one are beneficial because they get the conversation started,” Rivera says. “Eating disorders thrive on secrecy and isolation, so the more we address them out in the open, the easier it will be for women to seek help early on and feel supported by their communities.”
The free event will be from 7-9 p.m. at Temple Israel (2324 Emerson Ave. S. Minneapolis 55405) and is hosted by Healthy-Youth Healthy Communities, and the Mental Health Education Project, programs of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul.
Whether a parent, concerned community member, or someone struggling with eating habits, Wednesday’s discussion with experts will prove useful.
There is a suggested donation of $10, and Insatiable will be available for purchase at the discounted price of $20. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Carly Stein, Healthy Youth-Healthy Communities Specialist, at [email protected] or 952-542-4835.
Like the article said, these events are very important to getting the conversation about anorexia and other eating disorders started. It also creates a support system for those that may otherwise hide behind their disorder. Dr. Julie O’toole of the Kartini Clinic has some good insights on effective long-term treatment: http://www.mditv.com/blog/?p=699