National Eating Disorders Week "Someday Melissa" Screening: Wrap-Up

On Wednesday, 2/25 from 6 - 9pm, the Ohio Psychological Association, in conjunction with Columbus State Community College, hosted a screening of the documentary "Someday Melissa." The documentary is the story of Melissa Avrin, who lost her life to an eating disorder. Following her death, Judy Avrin, Melissa’s mother, formed Someday Melissa – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that was established to promote awareness of the dangers of eating disorders. The documentary is the story of an eating disorder, loss and hope. It’s the organization's desire that through the film, speaking engagements, this website, and educational materials, they will provide a beacon of hope to those suffering with their own disorder (www.somedaymelissa.org).

Over 40 students, faculty, and community members attended this event, which included an expert panel consisting of mental health professionals and survivors of eating disorders. Dr. Heather Guthrie represented the Ohio Psychological Association on the panel. Other panelists included Michael Hicks, M.S.Ed., LPC from the CSCC Counseling Center, Samantha Tortora, M.A., LPC-CR from the Center for Balanced Living, Sarah Blanda, and Courtney Ruppert, M.A.


Although National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is over, there will always be a need to spread awareness of Eating Disorders. NEDA has a great plethora of resources that you can utilize to spread awareness at this website: http://nedawareness.org/. Here is the direct link to posters and other resources: http://nedawareness.org/get-involved/materials

April is Minority Health Month