As women, it’s so important that we can openly discuss serious topics so that they are no longer taboo. Singer Kesha opened up old wounds to help bring awareness to eating disorders with a new public service announcement for the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). I think she’s very brave to share her story so publicly as well as take on body-shamers on social media.
“Eating disorders are a life-threatening illness that can affect anyone,” the singer, who sought help for an eating disorder in 2014, said. “It doesn’t matter your age, your sex, your ethnicity. Eating disorders don’t discriminate.”
What the singer/songwriter, real name Kesha Rose Sebert, says is true. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, males and females may develop eating disorders as early as elementary school. While it’s true that eating disorders are more commonly diagnosed in females than in males, and more often during adolescence and early adulthood than in older ages, many cases are also being recognized in men and women in their 30s, 40s, and older.
If you know anyone struggling with an eating disorder, there is a lot of help available. It’s so important for them to know they are not alone. Kesha linked to an eating disorder screening tool which is a great first step. For further guidance, they can reach trained volunteers via this toll free referral number 1-800-931-2237.
“I am so honored to be partnering with NEDA to help reduce the stigma of talking about and treating eating disorders,” Kesha said. “I had an eating disorder that threatened my life, and I was very afraid to confront it. I got sicker and the whole world kept telling me how much better I looked, and that’s why I realized that I wanted to be a part of the solution. I want to help NEDA promote the idea that we should all be proud of who we are exactly how we are and if you need help or know someone who does, NEDA is here to help.”
