Angela Johnes Memorial Scholarships now available with the start of Eating Disorders Awareness Week
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Throughout the United States, there is a silent epidemic within the homes of millions of families. Eating Disorders (EDs), specifically Anorexia Nervosa, affect an untold amount of people. To recognize this, the week of Feb. 26 to March 3 has been designated as National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
• Are you hungry, but afraid to eat?
• Do you take a small amount of food, cut it into smaller pieces, and spread it around your plate so it looks like a lot?
• Do you fill up on water and other no-cal liquids instead of eating solid foods?
• Are you wearing double layers of bulky clothes so others don’t notice how thin you are getting?
These are some of the signs of the eating disorder known as Anorexia Nervosa. The purpose of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders; and to provide hope and support to individuals and the families affected by the illness. In 2024, the theme is “Get in the Know.” It is time to raise awareness about eating disorders and change the common attitude that “they’ll get over it’. Victims need the support of family and friends to help them recognize that they have a problem, and to encourage them to have the self-confidence needed to accept themselves and seek treatment. Symptoms are often not recognized, or completely ignored.
Anorexics develop an exaggerated interest in food, but at the same time, deny hunger and stop eating. A distorted body image makes them feel fat, even as weight loss continues. The anorexic begins to have problems sleeping, shows unusual devotion to schoolwork, and often engages in an unrelenting exercise regimen. Reduced food intake usually causes weight loss extreme enough to stop menstrual periods in women. Not all anorexics exhibit all symptoms. For many years, it was known as a disease that mainly affected young women. However, doctors now find that teenage boys and men are becoming victims as well.
Nearly 30 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Eating disorder victims have the second highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders, surpassed only by the opioid use disorder. Eating disorders are widely misunderstood, and support options are often inaccessible. Too many patients are left feeling helpless. Let’s Get in the Know and do what we can to change the stigma of eating disorders.
Along with National Eating Disorders Week, the Angela Johnes Memorial Scholarship applications are now available.
The Angela Johnes Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 in memory of an eating disorders victim. The 8 person scholarship committee works to bring awareness of eating disorders to the community, as well as continue a memorial that provides financial aid to a graduating senior of Brussels High School. Applications for the 2024 Angela Johnes Memorial Scholarship are now available from the Guidance Counselor, Kaye Gilbreth. BHS seniors are invited to complete an application, and return it to Mrs. Gilbreth no later than noon on March 15, 2024. The scholarship recipient will be announced at graduation.
