‘The joy that awaits us’: Rogers celebrates Eating Disorders Awareness Week, highlights hope in recovery

Looking at familiar challenges in a different light can reveal new sources of hope. 

That’s one goal of Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) set this year’s theme at “The Time is Now,” aiming to “shift the perception” of many in the public who may not be aware of challenges associated with eating disorders. For example, NEDA’s website notes that eating disorders have the second-highest mortality rate among mental health conditions, with one person dying from an eating disorder every 52 minutes. This year’s campaign highlighted the importance of sharing information and resources, early detection and treatment, and supporting research initiatives. 

Test your knowledge: By the numbers, how has Rogers contributed to eating disorder recovery? See a pop quiz below! 

While celebrating Eating Disorders Awareness Week at Rogers, team members and patients focused on a new perspective, too. Experiential therapist Mike Hoelzer says traditionally, the residential eating disorder units in Oconomowoc do a fun art project to celebrate the week. This year, he says, the tote-bag project was a big hit. 

“We encouraged residents to decorate their bag with recovery-related themes and words of inspiration,” Mike says. “The bags are always so unique; they speak to the individual needs and modes of expression each resident has as they work to establish themselves in recovery.” 

Residents are also adding to a collaborative mural called “The Flow Garden,” intended to challenge how they look at things. That new outlook can make hope easier to see. 

“We often see residents struggle with rigid thinking styles and perfectionism,” Mike says. “The Flow Garden Mural encourages participants to trust themselves and respond to the imagery without overthinking the ‘right,’ ‘best,’ or ‘perfect’ solution. So far, our mural has developed into a fanciful and colorful artwork. Perhaps this is a metaphor for the joy that awaits us when we are able to challenge ourselves to overcome what is holding us back!” 

Lisa Broll, clinical services manager in Oconomowoc, highlighted eating disorder awareness facts through emails during the week, including Rogers-specific data. See if you know the answers to these questions! 

Questions: 

1.  Since June of 2023, how many states have patients in the Adult Inpatient Eating Disorders unit and Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders unit come from?
   A. 10
   B. 26
   C. 31
   D. 39

2.  Since June of 2023, how many patients has Rogers provided care for in the Adult Inpatient Eating Disorders unit?
   A. 212
   B. 316
   C. 516
   D. 581

3.  Since June of 2023, how many patients has Rogers provided care for in the and Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders unit?
   A. 119
   B. 245
   C. 319
   D. 391

Answers: 

1. D. Patients in those two units have come from 39 states!
2. C. Rogers has provided care for 516 total patients on our Adult Inpatient Eating Disorders unit since June of 2023.
3. D. Rogers has provided care for 391 total patients on our Adult Inpatient Eating Disorders unit and 391 patients on our Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders unit since June of 2023.