MEDIA ALERT OPHELIA S PLACE TO CHALLENGE CONCEPT OF BEAUTY

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3 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Samantha Linnett, director of public relations Phone: sjlinnet@syr.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA ALERT OPHELIA S PLACE TO CHALLENGE CONCEPT OF BEAUTY Liverpool, N.Y., November 18, 2013 Ophelia s Place, a local non-profit and part of the National Eating Disorder Association, is announcing its event next month that will be challenging the concept of beauty in its fight against eating disorders. What: Press Conference about event details Who: Ophelia s Place The National Eating Disorder Association When: Monday, December 2, 2013; 1 p.m. Where: Diane and Bob Miron Special Events Room, Room 303, Newhouse University Place, Syracuse, NY Enter the Newhouse 1 lobby and stay to the right of the stairs. The room will be straight ahead. Tickets for the event are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for children ages 13 and under, and can be purchased at Ophelia s Place and Café at 407 or online at All proceeds will go to Ophelia s Place and the National Eating Disorder Association for program and research funding. Redefining beauty and health by empowering individuals families and communities impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction. ###

4 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Samantha Linnett, director of public relations Phone: sjlinnet@syr.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OPHELIA S PLACE TO CHALLENGE CONCEPT OF BEAUTY Liverpool, N.Y., November 17, 2013 Ophelia s Place is challenging the concept of beauty in its fight against eating disorders during an event next month, a community barbeque and benefit concert: Voices for Beauty. The event will take place on December 6, 2013 in the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University, starting at 5 p.m., with keynote speaker Constance Rhodes leading the issue discussion and Demi Lovato and Kelly Clarkson starring in the show. The goal of the event is to increase the awareness of the prevalence of eating disorders and the need for research funding to continue to help treat them. The event will have a focus on each individual s natural beauty and show how media and societal body images just aren t realistic. The large majority of eating disorders, says Jodie Wilson, executive director of Ophelia s Place, are related to body dissatisfaction and the never-ending call to be thinner. This has proven to be true, especially in the increasing cases of young, teenage girls. The Voices for Beauty awareness event will include a barbeque dinner and benefit concert. Constance Rhodes will give her keynote speech, The Perfection Trap. The concert, beginning at 7 p.m., will feature Demi Lovato, followed by Kelly Clarkson as the headliner, both of who struggled with eating disorders in their teens. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for children ages 13 and under, with all proceeds going to Ophelia s Place and the National Eating Disorder Association to fund treatment programs and research on eating disorders. Redefining beauty and health by empowering individuals families and communities impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction. ###

5 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Samantha Linnett, director of public relations Phone: sjlinnet@syr.edu FACT SHEET: VOICES FOR BEAUTY November 2013 Ophelia splace PartoftheNationalEating DisordersAssociation Workswithindividualsand familieswho sliveshavebeen affectedbyeatingdisorders Workstocombatsociety simage ofbeauty Offerssupportgroups,accessto treatmentprograms,and breakingfree supportgroupfor teens14e18yearsold Executive Director: Jodie Wilson EatingDisorders Eatingdisordersare potentiallylifethreatening Theyimpactmillionsof peopleeveryyear Therateofdevelopmentof newcasesofeatingdisorders hasbeenincreasingsince 1950 Therehasbeenarisein incidenceofanorexiainyoung women15e19yearsoldin eachdecadesince1930 Illness Prevalence NIHResearchFunds(2011) Alzheimer sdisease 5.1million $450,000,000 Autism 3.6million $160,000,000 Schizophrenia 3.4million $276,000,000 Eating'Disorders' 30'million' $28,000,000' Formoreinformation,visitwww.nationaleatingdisorders.org VoicesforBeauty Friday,December6,2013;5p.m.to10:30p.m.;CarrierDome,Syracuse,N.Y Tickets$30foradults,$15forchildrenages13andunder BarbequeDinnerstartsat5p.m.,providedbyDinosaurBarbeque DessertprovidedbyInsomniaCookiesandCaféat407 KeynoteSpeaker:ConstanceRhodes,takesstageat6p.m. Concertbeginsat7p.m.,openingwithDemiLovatoandheadliningwithKellyClarkson AllproceedsgotoOphelia splaceandthenationaleatingdisorderassociation ###

6 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Samantha Linnett, director of public relations Phone: sjlinnet@syr.edu Ophelia s Place BACKGROUNDER: VOICES FOR BEAUTY November 2013 Ophelia s Place is a non-profit organization in the Syracuse area that is trying to redefine beauty and health by empowering individuals, families and communities impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction. Ophelia s place tries to fight the current cultural image of what is beauty and show that everyone is beautiful no matter his or her shape or size. They work with individuals and families within the Syracuse community. Ophelia s Place offers several different support groups for different people dealing with eating disorders in their lives. They have support groups for those suffering from eating disorders themselves, including a special group called the breaking free support group for teens years old. They also hold support groups for family members of people suffering from eating disorders. Ophelia s Place, in addition, offers access to treatment programs and fundraises for research on the disease. In 2009, Ophelia s place opened Café at 407 as a way to fund the non-profit organization and to attract others in the community who may not be affected by eating disorders to be aware of the cause and what the organization is trying to do. Redefining beauty and health by empowering individuals families and communities impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction. To#change#culture#and#to#empower#individuals,#families,#and#communities#to#embrace#health,# beauty,#and#happiness#at#any#shape#and#size#to#share#a#message#of#body#celebration.# -more-

7 The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Voices, Pg. 2 Formed in 2001, The National Eating Disorders Association is a nationwide non-profit organization that works with partners and volunteers across the country to advocate about supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. It campaigns for prevention, universal access to treatment and support, and increased research funding to better understand and treat eating disorders. For more information, please visit NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. Voices for Beauty The Voices for Beauty community event will be held to increase awareness in the greater Syracuse area about eating disorders and the effects that the cultural image of beauty has on individual s self-perceptions. The event will take place on Friday, December 6, 2013 in the Syracuse University Carrier Dome. The barbeque dinner portion of the event will begin at 5 p.m., serving food catered by Dinosaur Barbeque. Dessert and coffee will be provided after dinner by Insomnia Cookies and the Café at 407. The keynote speaker, Constance Rhodes, will take the stage at 6 p.m. giving her well-known speech, The Perfection Trap. Rhodes has been challenging the cultural concept of beauty and identity throughout her career. She explores the negative effects that the national obsession with achievement and appearance has on our health and wellness, physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. The benefit concert will begin at 7 p.m. with Demi Lovato opening for the headliner, Kelly Clarkson. Both have suffered from eating disorders in their teens. Tickets for the event are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for children ages 13 and under, and can be purchased at Ophelia s Place and Café at 407 or online at All proceeds will go to Ophelia s Place and the National Eating Disorder Association for research funding. -more-

8 Raise Your Voice for Natural Beauty Voices, Pg. 3 In the United States alone, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from or have suffered from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. The severity of eating disorders are often underestimated and misunderstood. Eating disorders are a serious, and sometimes fatal, illness. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are the three most commonly found. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any other mental illness. Four out of ten people report that they either suffered or have known someone who has suffered from an eating disorder, and the majority of people suffering from these illnesses are adolescent teenagers and young adults. Even with the severity of these illnesses being understood, research is still significantly underfunded. That table below compares prevalence rates of some of the most common mental illnesses versus research funds provided for the illness. Illness& Prevalence& NIH&Research&Funds&(2011)& Alzheimer s&disease& 5.1&million& $450,000,000& Autism& 3.6&million& $160,000,000& Schizophrenia& 3.4&million& $276,000,000& Eating'Disorders' 30'million' $28,000,000' This illness can be successfully combated through increased awareness and access to treatment and support. ###

9 Bibliography: National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Other Associated Disorders (ANAD). Accessed at on October 8, Ophelia s Place. Accessed at on October 7, Premiere Speakers Bureau. Constance Rhodes Biography. Accessed at on October 7, 2013 The National Eating Disorder Association. Accessed at on October 7, 2013.

10 NancyCantor Chancellor* NancyCantoristhe11 th chancellorofsyracuseuniversity.sheisresponsiblefor helpingsyracusetoplayalargerroleinsociety.shehasshownemphasison Syracuse svision,including ScholarshipinAction. Underherleadership,Syracuse Universityhaswonmultipledistinctions,includingbeingoneofthefirstuniversities toreceivethecarnegiefoundationfortheadvancementofteaching'sclassification. CantorgraduatedfromSarahLawrenceCollegein1974andwentontoattend graduateschoolatstanforduniversity.beforebecomingchancellorofsyracuse,she heldmanyotherleadershippositionsatdifferentuniversities.theseincludedbeing provostattheuniversityofmichiganandchancelloratuniversityofillinoisat UrbanaLChampaign. StartingJanuary1,2014,ChancellorCantorisgoingtoleaveSyracuseandbecome ChancellorofRutger suniversity snewarkcampus. ### Revised:November2013

11 MaggiFlaherty Communications+Director+ MaggiFlahertyisthecommunicationsdirectorfortheNationalEatingDisorders Association.Shehasalwaysbeeninvolvedwithnon>profitsandisexperiencedin non>profitorganizationmanagement.aftergraduatingfromtheuniversityof IllinoisatUrbana>Champaignin2005,shebecametheunitdirectoratSpiritwood Manor,aprogramforat>riskyouthlivinginpublichousing.Afterthatshebecame thedirectorattxl(teenexcellence)center.hercurrentjobwithnedaallowsher tomanagetheorganizationsblogandhandlemanymediainquiries. TheNationalEatingDisordersAssociationaimstopreventandsupportpeoplewho havebeenaffectedbyeatingdisorders.theycreateawarenessaboutthe seriousnessofthesementalillnessesandprovidehelpandsupporttohelppeople overcomethemthroughavarietyofprogramsandservices.theirmaingoalisto spreadthemessagethatitispossibletorecoverfromthemandthattheyarethere tohelp. ### Revised:November2013

12 JodieWilson+Dougherty JodieWilson+DoughertyistheexecutivedirectorofOphelia splacelocatedin Liverpool,NY.Ophelia splaceofferscounseling,supportgroupsandotherresources forsufferersofeatingdisorders. Asalicensedsocialworker,shenotonlyworksatOphelia splace,butalsorunsher ownprivatepracticeforgirlsaffectedbyeatingdisorders.shehasbeenwith Ophelia splacesince2002,whenitfirstopened,andwasappointedtoexecutive directorinjanuary2012.herownexperienceswitheatingdisordershavegreatly affectedherpracticeastheyhaveprovidedinsightandinspirationforherwork. ### Revised:November2013

13 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Samantha Linnett, director of public relations Phone: sjlinnet@syr.edu Video:'Eating'Disorder'Testimonials' Link: ###

14 Voices for Beauty Join us for dinner and a concert on Friday December 6, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Featuring: Speaker Constance Rhodes Performances by Kelly Clarkson & Demi Lovato Visit www. for more information and to purchase tickets

15 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FORMOREINFORMATION,CONTACT: Keri%Fitzpatrick% Phone:% % %kafitzpa@syr.edu% % Speech&Presented&by&Nancy&Cantor& Chancellor&of&Syracuse&University& Syracuse&University& December&2,&2013&& S.I.&Newhouse&School&of&Public&Communications&& Syracuse,&N.Y.& % Good%afternoon,%everyone.%My%name%is%Nancy%Cantor%and%I%am%the%chancellor%here%at% Syracuse%University.%I%would%like%to%start%by%welcoming%everyone%and%saying%how%truly% happy%we%are%to%have%you.%this%is%a%very%special%event%and%i%couldn t%be%happier%to%receive% the%chance%to%work%with%ophelia s%place.%having%the%opportunity%to%work%with%such%a% powerful%organization%to%host% Voices%of%Beauty %on%december%6 th %in%the%carrier%dome%is%an% honor%and%we%are%extremely%proud%to%take%part.%the%carrier%dome%has%hosted%countless% events%since%its%opening%in%1980%and%during%my%time%at%the%university,%but%i%believe%this%one% will%have%a%truly%profound%affect.%eating%disorders%are%powerful%conditions%that%can%forever% change%someone s%life.%the%help%that%ophelia s%place%provides%these%individuals%is%an% inspiration%and%syracuse%university%is%honored%to%support%their%mission.%i%would%also%like%to% let%you%all%know%that%we%will%be%taking%questions%at%the%end%of%this%press%conference,%but%i% believe%our%next%speaker%will%be%able%to%provide%further%insight%into%the%history%of%eating% disorders%and%ophelia s%place s%values%and%goals.%i d%like%to%welcome%maggi%flaherty,%the% Executive%Director%of%Ophelia s%place%to%the%stage.%% % ###%

16 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Munoz Director of Public relations Phone: (347) Speech Presented by Maggi Flaherty Director of Public Relations National Eating Disorder Association December 2, 2013 S.I. Newhouse School of Communications Syracuse, N.Y. In a day and age where the media considers size 4 women overweight and depicts skinny women as desirable, it is not surprising to notice the rise in eating disorders in young girls. In 2011 alone, over 30 million people in the United States suffered from an eating disorder at some time in their life. That is over twice as many people than the number of people who suffered from schizophrenia, autism and Alzheimer s disease combined. Eating disorders are becoming an epidemic affecting more and more people each year and yet, only a fraction of the funding from the National Institute of Health goes towards eating disorder research. Unfortunately, the severity of eating disorders is often underestimated and misunderstood. Many fail to realize that they are in fact serious, and sometimes fatal, illnesses. Eating disorders are categorized as mental illnesses because the person who suffers from them has a distorted view of their body, and the fear of gaining weight is so severe that it forces them to engage in an unhealthy relationship with food and their own bodies. (continued)

17 Flaherty page 2 These eating disorders are most commonly found in adolescent teenagers because they are the most vulnerable to the wide spread media messages of perfection. These media messages enforce body dissatisfaction to the point that many teens take drastic measures against their bodies in order to fit into the media s distorted view of society. Eating disorders affect the body as much as they do the mind. Fifty percent of those who have been affected by these disorders, either personally or by someone close to them, also met the criteria for depression. Three of the most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Anorexia alone has the highest mortality rate of any other mental illness. For women ages 15 to 24, the mortality rate of anorexia is 12 times higher than any other cause of death. Unfortunately, only 10 percent of people with eating disorders actually receive treatment. According to a college campus survey designed to measure the level of body dissatisfaction in women, 91 percent of the women who participated in the survey were constantly preoccupied with their weight and followed rigorous diets. As previously stated, the strong influence of the media teaches young men and women that they need to achieve perfection and an ideal size in order to be considered beautiful in todays society. Images of photoshoped models are everywhere on billboards, commercials and ads all which convey messages of unnatural beauty to our youth. (continued)

18 Flaherty page 3 Today s society has constructed an ideal of beauty that is so unnatural that it leads to damaging self-perceptions in young adults and teenagers that very commonly lead to eating disorders. The concept that appearances are the heart of what s attractive is reinforced time and time again. However, when young men and women starve themselves in order to emulate what they see on TV and feel good about their appearance, it is clear that something needs to be done. The best way to combat these rising epidemics is through education and increased access to treatment and support. The victims of these disorders need to feel loved and supported through the arduous process of self-acceptance. There needs to be a change in society that redefines the concept of beauty and decreases the risk of more eating disorder victims. The National Eating Disorders Association is a non-profit organization that seeks to do just that. Our mission is to support those affected by these disorders by redefining beauty and promoting healthy eating habits. We want to make a change by empowering individuals, families, and communities to embrace health and beauty of all shapes and sizes. People should be embracing their bodies, not destroying them. (continued)

19 Flaherty page 4 NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cure and access to quality care for those affected by eating disorders. Our efforts serve as a network of support that help many people overcome their struggle. Our goal is to give people the hope they need to make a full recovery. One step at a time, NEDA stands behind those struggling in the battle against eating disorders. Our main purpose as an organization is to increase awareness about eating disorders, promote healthy eating and dismiss society s effect on body image by sharing our own perspective of beauty which does not include extremely thin bodies. That is what I, as a representative of the National Eating Disorders Association, ask of you now. Educate your readers about the truths of one of America s biggest killers. Be part of the solution and spread the word because we as a society are responsible for what these 30 million young men and women go through every day. ###

20 1 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FORMOREINFORMATION,CONTACT: MelissaGoldstein Phone: megold01@syr.edu Speech&Presented&by&Jodie&Wilson& Executive&Director&of&Ophelia s&place& Syracuse&University& December&2,&2013&& S.I.&Newhouse&School&of&Public&Communications&& Syracuse,&N.Y.& Goodafternooneveryone.MynameisJodieWilsonandIamtheExecutive DirectorofOphelia splace. EmilyDickinsononcesaid hopeisthethingwithfeathersthatperchesinthe soulandsingsthetunewithoutthewordsandneverstopsatall. Ophelia splace providessupport,educationandoutreachforindividualsandfamiliesimpactedby eatingdisorders,disorderedeatingandbodyimageissues.ourmissionisto redefinebeautyandhealthbyempoweringindividuals,familiesandcommunities impactedbythisdisease.ourvisionistochangethecultureandtoempower individuals,familiesandcommunitiestoembracehealth,beautyandhappinessat anyshapeandsizetoshareamessageofbodycelebration.ledbyfaith,offeringlove andacceptableandencouragingpersonalgrowth,weatophelia splaceresolveto makeadifference,showrespectandintegrity,promoteasenseofcommunityand livewithpassion. 3more3

21 2 Ophelia splaceoffersavarietyofservicestohelpthosewhoarestruggling. Regardlessofyourdiagnosisorlackof,wewelcomeyoutojoinourrecovery supportgroupsthatfocusonmovingforward.thisgroupisdesignedsonomatter whereyouareinyourrecovery,youwillfindusefultoolsinthisgroupthatoffers hopeandencouragementonyourjourney.thereisalsoasupportgroupforfamily andfriendsofthosewhoarestrugglingwitheatingdisorders,disorderedeatingand bodydissatisfaction.youcanexpectaninteractivesupportgroupprovidingyou withthetoolsandresourcesasyourfamilyjourneystowardrecovery.asidefrom offeringsupport,themostimportantthingyoucandoforapersonwithaneating disorderistoencouragetreatment.thelongeraneatingdisorderremains undiagnosedoruntreated,themoredifficultitistoovercome.thisiswhyweoffer outpatient,intensiveoutpatientprogramsandcasemanagementservices.forthis specificservice,ophelia splacehaspartneredwiththeupstatenewyorkeating DisorderServicewhoofferoutpatientnutritionandmedicalservicesaswellasan IntensiveOutpatientProgramonsite.Thispartnershipiscommittedtohelpingyou findtherightlevelofcareandidentifyingaffordabletreatmentoptions. ThispastMarch,wehaveintroducedtwonewsupportprogramsatOphelia s Place;theBreakingFreeteenprogramandtheParentPartnerProgram.Breaking Freeisagroupthatcaterstoteensstrugglingwithbodydissatisfactionorbattling disorderedeating.thisisthefirstgroupthatcatersspecificallytoteenagers.after receivinganincreasedamountofcallsfromparentsofyoungteenswhowere struggling,wehopethatasyouthcometogethertotalkaboutthisissue,theywill notonlyfindsupportandencouragementfromeachotherbutalsobeginto challengethenarrowculturaldefinitionsofhealthandbeauty.theparentpartner Programisdesignedtohelpfamily,friendsandcaregivershaveabetter understandingofeatingdisorders.theprogramfocusesondifferentaspectsof eatingdisordersateachmeetingsuchasnutritionalaspects;medicalaspectsand thementalhealthimpacteatingdisorderscanhaveonaperson. Now,wewillbeplayingashortvideoofyoungadultssharingtheirpersonal struggleswitheatingdisorders. ###

22 1 P.O. Box 621, 407 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY (315) * director@opheliasplace.org * FORMOREINFORMATION,CONTACT: MelissaGoldstein Phone: megold01@syr.edu Speech&Presented&by&Jodie&Wilson& Executive&Director&of&Ophelia s&place& Syracuse&University& December&2,&2013&& S.I.&Newhouse&School&of&Public&Communications&& Syracuse,&N.Y.& ThankyouallforcomingoutinsupportofOphelia splace s Voicesfor Beauty communityawarenessdinnerandbenefitconcertthatwilltakeplacethis Friday,December6 th at5p.m.inthecarrierdome. Ophelia splace s VoicesforBeauty eventaimstoraisecommunity awarenessabouttheissuesihaveinformedyouabout.atthecommunityawareness dinner,constancerhodeswillbegivingaspeechentitled ThePerfectionTrap. Rhodeswillbechallengingculturalviewsofbeautyandidentitywhileexploringthe downsideofournationalobsessionwithachievementandappearanceandthe negativeimpactitcanhaveonourhealthandwellness,physically,emotionally, relationallyandspiritually.bothperformersinthebenefitconcert,demilovatoand KellyClarksonhaveovercomeeatingdisorders. 3more3

23 2 KellyClarksonbattledbothAnorexiaandBulimiaforover7years.Whileshe receivedtreatmentnumeroustimes,kellystatedthatitwasn tuntilshehita breakingpointthatshesaidineedachange.aftercomingtothisrealization,kelly foundapartialtreatmentcenterandbattledherdisorderheadonforthenext7 weeks.aftersharingherstorywiththepublicinearly2012,kellysaid, Myeating disorderwillnotcomeback,notonlybecauseidecidedineededtreatmentonmy ownbutbecauseirefusetoallowittostealmyhappinessfrommeagain. KellyClarksonwasn tthefirststartoshareherprivatestruggleswiththe world.inmay2011,demilovatosharedherstruggleswitheatingdisordersand cutting.demireceivedthreemonthsoftreatmentafterapublicmeltdownthat helpedherrealizethatsheneededhelp.althoughshehadsoughttreatmentinthe past,itwasn tuntilalmost6yearsintoherstrugglediddemitrulybegintoheal. Eventhoughthestruggleneverdisappears,Demihassaid, Ihavesomuchlifeto live;idon twanttowasteit.it sanewchapterinmylife,startingnow. Thesearejustafewstoriesofwomenwhohaveovercometheirowneating disorders,distortedeatingandbodyimageissues.forthosewhoneedassistance, Ophelia splaceisheretohelp. Wewillnowopenupthefloortoanyquestions. ###