Right now, someone you know may be suffering from an eating disorder and you're not aware of it.
This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and Action News Jax is taking the opportunity to highlight the work of one of our own.
Kaitlyn Chana has created a nonprofit called Reel Stories. Real People. Inc. to raise awareness about this problem, after overcoming eating disorders herself.
For many, the battle with eating disorders starts in school. It’s why school is the perfect setting to start the conversation.
Had the honor and privilege of interviewing @KaitlynANjax today about her nonprofit @StoriesReel. At 5:30 on @ActionNewsJax learn about her battle with eating disorders and how she’s now helping schools address the illness in classrooms. pic.twitter.com/hFhvFdRbpZ
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) March 1, 2018
Reel Stories. Real People. is creating a film that addresses the illness and teachers can use the film as a tool to end stigma and help their students.
Scott Arritt is a seventh-grade teacher at Liberty Pines Academy in St. Johns County.
He often finds himself helping students in ways that go beyond schoolwork.
“Those kids will come to me and speak to me sometimes even before they talk to their parents,” said Arritt.
He recalled the time he tried to help a student at his previous school who had a serious condition.
“It was obvious that she had an eating disorder. It was one of these things that people knew and it was always hush-hush,” said Arritt.
So when Chana called to tell him about the nonprofit she was starting, he couldn’t turn away.
As a reporter for Action News Jax, Chana is used to giving a voice to others, but that confidence wasn’t always there.
“For 10 years of my life, I suffered from three different eating disorders and it started with anorexia nervosa in middle school,” said Chana.
She said she had a distorted view of herself during that time. When others saw a rail thin girl, she saw something else.
“Someone that was just overweight,” said Chana. “I was disgusted by the image I was seeing.”
Her nonprofit is now working on a film that will give schools guidance on how to tackle the issue.
“It’s up to them to be able to implement it into their classroom as an enhancement resource where it ties in the topic of mental health, but it also specifically addresses eating disorders,” said Chana.
Reel Stories. Real People. has also come up with a curriculum on eating disorders.
Arritt, who is now a board member at the nonprofit and championing the initiative.
“It’s a tool I would love to have as a teacher,” said Arritt.
Chana is now healthy and free of eating disorders and is using her painful past experience to help others.
“It was important to share my story to be able to showcase where we all have times where we need help,” said Chana.
Reel Stories. Real People. is now raising money to start filming. The film, along with a guided curriculum, will then be given to schools districts for free.
Cox Media Group
