Each February, the Murray State Women’s Center holds an exhibit in honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Month.
The exhibit, Room with a View, was set up from Monday through Thursday in Old Richmond Residential College. It followed the life of Sandra, a fictional student, a new student to Murray State.
“Room with a View is intended to engage students in an interactive format in order to educate them about the signs and effects of eating disorders,” said Abigail French, Women’s Center interim director. “Students become first-hand spectators in the life of this college student and that helps them take in the information in a real and lasting way.”
The walk-through exhibit featured five rooms that moved through the months of Sandra’s life at school. Walking through the rooms, the visitors of the exhibit were able to read through her journal, look at the schedule on her wall calendar and experience the drastic way her life changed as her eating disorder progressed.
The exhibit enabled visitors to witness the dark secret Sandra was hiding from her family and friends up close. Her decorations, clothing and schedule all changed as Sandra’s obsession with her weight took over her life.
“Many of our students struggle with their body image or have a friend that they are concerned about,” French said. “We want them to not only be aware of the seriousness of eating-disordered behavior, but also to know that there is hope and that they are not alone on this campus.”
In addition to the walk-through exhibit, Room with a View allows participants to watch a short documentary about eating disorders. They are also invited to take part in a survey given by psychology graduate students which asks about eating habits and determines whether or not students have eating disorders.
Since 2008, when the program began, Room with a View has had one major goal in mind: educate the student body on the seriousness of eating disorders.
“First and foremost, we want to raise awareness about the reality of having an eating disorder,” French said. “We want our students to be educated about the warning signs. Secondly, we want students to know that they are not alone and that there is help for them.”
French also included her goal for the program has been set with the students of Murray State in mind.
Said French: “If only one student walks away with a little bit of hope for a brighter future, then I will be happy with our program.”
Story by Hunter Harrell, Staff writer.