To provide information about the important topic of eating disorders, the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Student Nurses Association, Student Government, and Gay Straight Alliance is hosting speaker Trish Thacker of The Emily Program, Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. in the Peterson Community Room (G202) at the Cambridge Campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Thacker will address issues associated with eating disorders, such as cultural factors that influence body image, relationships with food, early signs and symptoms of disordered eating and effective and positive coping skills. The presentation will be about an hour, with another 30 minutes for questions and discussion. There will be lemonade and coffee served.  There will also be pamphlets and contact information available.

Research has shown that eating disorders and using food for as a coping mechanism effects people from every race, religion, gender, age and socio-economic status. According to The Emily Program, more than 202,000 Minnesotans have eating disorders.

“There is definitely a need for greater understanding of this sensitive topic and for awareness of available resources,” says Shay Carchedi, a nursing student and board member of the Student Nurses Association. "We are happy to host Trish Thacker and offer this to the public.  We are aware that eating disorders greatly affect the family, friends and care givers as well as those who suffer both openly and silently.” 

More About the Emily Program
The Emily Program was founded in 1993, when psychologist Dirk Miller, Ph.D., L.P. opened a private eating disorders treatment practice named after his sister, Emily, who recovered from an eating disorder. The ‘Emily’ name has come to signify the core values behind our successes: personalized care for all individuals struggling with eating disorders.

Today, the Emily Program offers a wide range of outpatient and group treatment services for eating disorders and related problems. For more information, visit www.emilyprogram.com.

To learn more about events at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.