One-woman play will be presented at ISU Feb. 28 to help reduce stigma of eating disorders

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University will host a one-woman play and discussion to begin the conversation about eating disorders, the mental illness with the highest fatality rate in the country.

"The Thin Line: Breaking the Silence on Eating Disorders" will be performed at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Following the 30-minute play, members of Iowa State's Student Counseling Service's eating disorder treatment team will lead a question-and-answer discussion and also discuss how to access services. The event is part of "Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week at Iowa State."  It is free and open to the public.

 "The Thin Line" is a story of one girl's struggle with her eating and her loved ones’ resolve to understand and help, revealing the devastating impact eating disorders have on all involved. The performance features four characters with distinct voices, all played by a professional actor. "The Thin Line" is meant to provide compassion, understanding and the means to seek action against eating disorders.

Presentation of "The Thin Line" is co-sponsored by Collegiate Panhellenic Council, the Division of Student Affairs, the Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa, graduate students in clinical psychology, the Interfraternity Council, Student Athlete Affairs and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by the Government of the Student Body. More information on ISU lectures is available online at http://www.lectures.iastate.edu, or by calling 515-294-9935.