Click introduces bipartisan bill to recognize National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

COLUMBUS – State Representative Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) today announced bipartisan legislation, jointly sponsored by State Representative Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland), to designate the last week in February as “Eating Disorders Awareness Week.” Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an annual campaign, always the last week in February, by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

“This bipartisan legislation will help shine a light on the harsh realities of eating disorders and provide hope, support, and visibility to the many individuals and families affected by them every day in all parts of this state,” said Sweeney. “Eating disorders impact all Ohioans, but especially young people, and I hope this legislation will serve as a beacon of hope for those who too often suffer in silence.”

Too often overlooked and misunderstood, eating disorders have the second-highest risk of death of any mental illness (next to opioid addiction) per 2021 data from the NEDA. Also according to the NEDA, 95 percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages 12 and 25—largely children and teens; and a primary audience for social media. 

“Teens face increasing challenges every year and we cannot sit idly by allowing them to fend for themselves. This is why Rep. Sweeney and I have reached across the aisle to draw focus and attention to our hurting youth,” said Click. “Increased awareness on critical topics like this will help bring solutions one step closer to hurting families in crisis.”

The pandemic has resulted in a marked increase in mental health illnesses, making it all the more important for Ohioans to recognize and better understand the severity of eating disorders.