A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin County Community College District. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: March 10. All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Sydney Portilla-Diggs, campus correspondent; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Jennifer Brooks, student correspondent; Mae Nguyen, special contributor; Siulan Thomas, special contributor; Amy Lenhart, special contributor; Nick Young, photographer; layout by public relations.
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Eating disorder program available
Are you dissatisfied with your body or have an intense fear of gaining weight?
Do you over-exercise, restrict calories or think about food all the time?
Do you avoid eating around other people, or feel that food has a power over you so that you can’t stop eating even when you are full?
Do not continue these unhealthy routines. If you are concerned about your eating habits, or those of a friend, you may find it helpful to talk to counselors at Collin Counseling Services, who will be offering anonymous screenings for eating disorders and information on how to stop letting food, weight and calories control your life.
The screenings will be available at the Spring Creek, Central Park and Preston Ridge campuses’ counseling offices throughout March. Another option is to take advantage of the free online mental health screening offered by Collin by logging on to: www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening (keyword “wholeperson”).
This brief questionnaire is completely confidential, and designed specifically for Collin students. You will receive immediate, customized feedback and information on how to get the help you need.
“Adjusting to college life can be difficult for many and the desire to fit in can make students susceptible to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. Ninety-five percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 251 and the majority of those who have an eating disorder do not seek treatment, often as a result of shame or social stigma. The goal of the screening event is to reduce the stigma attached to eating disorders and let students know that help is available,” said Linda Qualia, Director of Counseling.
Counselors emphasize that even those who do not have a diagnosable eating disorder can benefit from this program. Food concerns, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem can keep a student from achieving at school or sports and hinders social activities like dating or being with friends.
This program offers education and screening to help students stop unhealthy eating habits before they evolve into full-blown eating disorders. As part of the program, students will complete a written self-assessment and have the opportunity to talk privately with a counseling professional about their screening results.
Recommendations and referrals will be made based upon the results. Collin’s Counseling Services is offering this education and screening program as part of the National Eating Disorders Screening Program (NEDSP), sponsored by the national nonprofit Screening For Mental Health.
NEDSP is being held at colleges nationwide in conjunction with an awareness event sponsored by the National Eating Disorders Association.
Funding for this program is provided by Remuda Ranch, the Renfrew Center and River Centre. For more information, call Counseling Services at 972.881.5126 or visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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