Kennesaw State hosted a candlelight vigil on the Marietta campus on Thursday, Feb. 28, to raise awareness for eating disorder recovery during national eating disorder awareness week.
KSU’s Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery worked with the Health Promotion and Wellness Center and local eating disorder recovery program SOAR to organize the vigil. The free event attracted around 50 students and staff, some of whom said they had been personally affected by addiction or eating disorders. Attendees experienced an art auction, live musical performances by CYAAR students, an open mic and, of course, a candlelight vigil.
During the vigil, students and staff took the stage to share their recovery stories, with many of the performers having gone through the CYAAR recovery program, called the Collegiate Recovery Program.
“It’s about body positivity and more personally, I transferred from UGA mainly because of the recovery program here, and so this is about a new beginning for me,” junior criminal justice major Elayna Harris said.
Harris was one of several students who performed at the candlelight vigil. Harris choreographed her dance specifically for the performance and said that her movement explored the complex, messy process of recovery and body positivity.
One student, who wished to not disclose his name, spoke for several minutes detailing his struggles with addiction and eating disorders.
“It’s something that no one talks about, and it’s not because they don’t care, [it’s because] they don’t know about it,” the student said. “[I’m] really grateful for my eating disorder because it forces me to care.”
Once the open mic performances concluded, staff members of CYAAR led students in a brief reflection, urging to students that they are not alone in their recovery. Members lit their candles in solidarity with all those struggling with an eating disorder. As students and staff illuminated the ballroom with recovery awareness, they collectively recited the Serenity Prayer.
CYAAR education coordinator Lindsay Montgomery urged students to “rejoice in the power of recovery.”
“Eating disorder recovery is a big part of our community at the Center,” Executive Director and Assistant Dean of CYAAR Teresa Johnston said. “So we like to raise awareness and this week is eating disorder awareness week, so that’s part of our goal — to raise awareness and get people help, and also take the social stigma out of it.”
CYAAR sees its share of students attempting to navigate their eating disorder. According to Johnston, at least 15 percent of KSU’s population is in recovery from eating disorders. Nationally, at least 30 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, which also reports that every 62 minutes someone dies as the result of an eating disorder.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 800-931-2237 or visit bulimia.com. For help with substance abuse, please call the National Drug Helpline at 1-880-633-3239 or visit drughelpline.org.
