Money raised as part of the walk, and through online visibility via hashtag challenges, is used to provide treatment and resources for individuals and families who may otherwise be unable to afford the often life-saving treatment needed to recover...
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) February 18, 2015
Castlewood Treatment Centers and The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness (The Alliance) announced a partnership this month that expands their individual missions and creates a wider umbrella of help, education and services to the national community. While eating disorders remain a central issue, creating conversations and highlighting the complex issues of positive body image and self-esteem are also core concerns.
The partnership between these two nationally acclaimed organizations will kick off at the Alliance for Eating Disorder’s 4th annual “Celebrate Everybody” walk held on February 28th in Boca Raton, Florida. This walk will integrate and emphasize the important #NoFilter Campaign created by Castlewood Treatment Centers. The walk is a challenge to step up for eating disorder awareness and the positive body image movement. Participants include those in recovery from an eating disorder, family members, friends, treatment professionals and citizens who want to provide financial and public support.
As part of the events at this year’s fundraising and awareness walk, participants will be able to step into a striking #NoFilter frame to take impromptu photos of themselves. The photos are being used as a personal challenge to flood social media with #NoFilter #Selfies hashtags and encourage others to do the same while practicing self-acceptance. Another important challenge at the walk is financial support for the Alliance for Eating Disorders. Money raised as part of the walk, and through online visibility via hashtag challenges, is used to provide treatment and resources for individuals and families who may otherwise be unable to afford the often life-saving treatment needed to recover from anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder and other types of disordered eating problems.
The #NoFilter hashtag is increasingly shared by public and professional advocates to encourage stopping the use of photo alterations and unrealistic media representations of our bodies and our lives. According to Deanna James, Director of Marketing at Castlewood, “The #NoFilter movement isn’t about changing the public definition of beauty, far from it. The overall goal of the movement is celebrating our bodies for what they do for us and promoting authenticity. We need to change the national culture of body as beauty, and replace it with a deeper appreciation of all our bodies are able to do. We also want to promote sharing authentic images of our lives and our bodies via social media. Individuals should recognize their body as an amazing vehicle capable of doing so many things. It should be cherished for what it can do rather than punished for not meeting unrealistic standards.”
Johanna S. Kandel, The Alliance Founder and CEO, shared this statement about their new partnership with Castlewood: “Our organziations each have a slightly different focus; we’re excited to be able to combine our skills and strengths to make a bigger impact on those we serve. Take part in our kickoff celebration. Donate to the walk, challenge your friends to share #NoFilter images, spread the word. Even if you can’t be at our walk, make a statement, share on Facebook, or leave a challenge on #CWRecovery or #AllianceforEDA. It all makes a difference. And if you need help, ask, don’t wait for what feels like the right time, when now is always the best time to begin recovery.”
Eating disorders and negative body image are not one and the same, according to spokespersons at both The Alliance and Castlewood Treatment Centers. “Having negative body image doesn’t mean that you have an eating disorder, and having a positive body image doesn’t mean that you will never have eating disorder issues. Our goal is to encourage recovery through authenticity. Removing filters both literally and figuratively is key to the #NoFilter movement. Thousands of individuals of all ages and genders have shot unfiltered photos of themselves to underscore the importance of accepting, and being accepted, in non-judgmental ways.”
About Castlewood Treatment Centers:
Castlewood Treatment Center helps people with eating disorders transform to healthier lives. Established in 2000 as the first residential treatment facility in Missouri, Castlewood’s licensed health care team is nationally recognized and has decades of combined experience in providing compassionate, professional and successful treatment for more than 1,000 men and women with eating disorders and related conditions. They offer individualized, supportive and comprehensive care in a home-like residential setting to help people towards recovery and a bright, healthy future. Castlewood facilities are located in St. Louis, Missouri; Monterey, California; and Birmingham, Alabama and are accredited by the The Joint Commission. St. Louis facilities are also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. For more information, visit castlewoodtc.com.
About The Alliance for Eating Disorders:
The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing programs and activities aimed at outreach and education related to health promotion, including all eating disorders, positive body image, and self-esteem. We have worked tirelessly for the past 14 years to prevent eating disorders and promote a positive body image, free from weight preoccupation and size prejudice. Our organization offers educational presentations, free support groups for those struggling and for their family and friends, advocacy for mental health legislation, toll-free national phone help line, and referrals, training, support and mentoring services. Since its inception in October 2000, The Alliance has offered presentations on eating disorders, positive body image, and self-esteem to more than 210,000 individuals throughout the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com or call 866.662.1235.