“NEDA is here to support the millions of families whose loved ones are battling eating disorders.  How do we do it? By offering the latest information, resources, action-oriented advocacy and media campaigns to educate the public and policymakers and, most importantly, a sense of community to people often feeling alone and overwhelmed in their struggle to access quality, affordable care.”

And I must say that their website reflects this.   NEDA’s web categories include information & resources, how to get involved, stories of hope, current research, etc..  They have also created an 80 page Parent Toolkit which includes items such as: common myth of eating disorders, treatments available for eating disorders, sample letters to deal with insurance companies, etc..  The link to the Parent Toolkit is http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/toolkits/NEDA-Toolkit-Parents_03-10-09.pdf.   There is so much information here that it may serve as a useful reference guide as well as an educational tool.

If you are struggling with eating disorders in your family, my heart is with you.  May the stories of hope in NEDA’s website help support you.

“Mission: The Media Education Foundation produces and distributes documentary films and other educational resources to inspire critical reflection on the social, political, and cultural impact of American mass media.”

To accomplish this mission, MEF makes available their films at really reasonable prices to universities, high schools, individual educators, etc. and, in many cases, MEF provides study guides, transcripts, etc. at no cost.   In fact, in general you can preview the complete films online (the words “for preview only” show in the background).

With this objective, MEF has produced educational films that address such diverse topics as gender, health, politics, etc.  One of these films is an exclusive with Mary Pipher (author of Reviving Ophelia, Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls) where she “discusses the challenges facing today’s teenagers, especially girls, as well as the role of media and popular culture in shaping their identities.” In addition, MEF has other films that may be of interest to some parents (e.g. eating disorders,  body image issues, masculinity today, etc.).   As an example of their films, I have attached a link to an intro to Reviving Ophelia’s MEF film that I found on You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrRtJY28ps8&feature=related.

I will admit that sometimes these films are heart wrenching, but for me, they in part address how things are rather than how I wish they were.  For this reason, I sometimes push myself to get past some of my preconceived ideas/expectations so that I can see things from another perspective.

You may want to explore their website to see if any of the films are of any interest to you.   As always, I hope this is of use.