On Oct. 16 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading, BODYpeace executive board members spoke at the Reading Hospital Conference: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall… Eating Disorders, How to Help My Patients!
BODYpeace is an organization that focuses on the promotion of positive body image and self-esteem for both WCU students and the West Chester community. They meet every other Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Sykes Ballroom C for discussions, book clubs, videos, and speakers. BODYpeace participates in Eating Disorder Awareness Month, Love Your Body Day, the NEDA Walk and more.
Jessica McTaggart, Gabby Gomez, and Courtney Benner of BODYpeace led a talk at the conference called “Strengthening Your Self Image.” Their purpose was to educate medical professionals of the ways in which organizations such as West Chester University’s BODYpeace can help a patient’s self-image, as well as how it can be beneficial in helping a patient deal with his or her eating disorder and the psychological stress associated with it.
Medical professionals are too often poorly informed of proper treatment of eating disorders, and overlook the warning signs due to lack of education, according to Gomez.
“Today we had the wonderful opportunity to better inform the medical population about this miserable disease that has the highest mortality rate of any and all mental illnesses,” said Gomez.
The WCU students joined in a panel discussion following the conclusion of the speeches, and answered the audience’s questions about their organization and the work they do.
“As I proudly stood up there, I realized how empowering BODYpeace is! I couldn’t be more excited to see this group expand. We are going to do great things,” McTaggart said.
BODYpeace’s goal is to eventually make support groups in high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.
Students can join BODYpeace on OrgSync, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@WCUBODYpeace).
Megan Monachino is a third-year student majoring in English. She can be reached at MM783809@wcupa.edu.