Students of the University gathered to attend Delta Phi Epsilon’s free annual National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) vigil in Anacon Auditorium on Tuesday night, Oct. 22, at 7:30 pm.
ANAD is one of Delta Phi Epsilon’s national philanthropies. Each year, the sorority hosts an ANAD vigil where guest speakers come to share stories about their experiences with anorexia nervosa and raise awareness about the illness. This year’s vigil featured four speakers.
As the vigil began, the crowd was informed that anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. Twenty percent of people who suffer from anorexia die due to issues related to the disorder, such as heart complications.
The first speaker was Kristi Hunt, senior music major. Hunt’s battle with the disorder began at a very young age and escalated from there. “Eating disorders are 100 percent psychological. The weight loss, restricting, and purging are all symptoms of the deep torture going on in the person’s mind,” Hunt explained.
“It is a voice that is constantly telling you that you are not good enough and are worthless, but everyone is capable of finding the inner strength to shut that voice up,” she added. Hunt is now in recovery.
Kelly Chapman, junior graphic design major, was another individual who decided to come forward and share her story at the vigil. Like Hunt, Chapman’s struggle also began at a young age and reached its climax during her early college years. “For me, my biggest thing is not waiting too long before getting help. People should not have to reach rock bottom like we [the speakers] have. No one should ever have to wait until they’re at the point of entering a hospital,” said Chapman.
“When it comes to health insurance and eating disorders, the requirements are absolutely absurd,” added Chapman. “Being 100 pounds and not having my period almost wasn’t good enough to admit me. My health insurance thought I wasn’t sick enough because I was healthy in terms of my heart and what not. It’s absolutely sick. I saw so many girls get turned away that seriously needed help.”
After the four speeches, the vigil came to an end. Members of the audience applauded the women who had the courage to talk about their personal battles in order to keep others from going through the same thing.
Senior criminal justice major Casey McCabe, sister of Delta Phi Epsilon, was very enthusiastic about the success of the night. “I was so excited with the turnout and the speakers we had at this year’s vigil,” McCabe said. “I thought it was a great success and a very informative program.”
“I think the vigil was great! It shows one of the more serious sides of Greek life which I think is important for our peers to see,” Hunt said.
The message this year’s ANAD vigil attempted to get across was to “love the skin you’re in.” Its purpose was to get the people who attended to recognize the severity of anorexia nervosa. It urges people to seek help if they need it, and to offer help if someone appears to be suffering.
“Eating disorders are so much more common than you realize, and most people suffer alone,” Hunt added. “If someone could reach out to an individual who needs help, or if someone comes forward and admits to needing help because of what I chose to share, then that makes it all worthwhile.”
