Internationally renowned writer and speaker on eating disorders will speak at CSUN on March 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the University Student Union (USU) Grand Salon.

Jenni Schaefer, author of “Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too,” will be speaking at the event that is being hosted by Joint Advocates on Disordered Eating (JADE), a program offered by the University Counseling Services.

Ellen Mayer, counselor and director of counseling services, said the JADE program is a program designed to provide awareness and prevention of eating disorders.

“JADE is collaborating with the University Student Union on this event,” said Alaleh Mojarradi, student coordinator for Ellen Mayer. “We wanted to bring Jenni Schaefer to CSUN for Eating Disorders Awareness Week so that she could talk to students about eating disorders, healthy body image and share her inspiring recovery.”

Mojarradi said Jenni Schaefer has two best selling books. The author will be talking about her book “Goodbye ED, Hello Me,” which is about her inspirational recovery from an eating disorder and healthy body image, Mojarradi said.

“Getting Schaefer to come speak at CSUN was made possible by having the JADE program collaborate with the USU,” Mojarradi said.

Alicia Romero, a chemistry major, said she likes the fact that CSUN has a program dedicated to helping people with eating disorders on campus and said it’s even better to have someone so venerable speak to students.

“I think it’s so important for universities to pay attention to these problems and it’s especially important for students to have somewhere to go for help,” said Romero, 19.

“I just graduated from high school last year and I knew several girls in my school who were suffering from eating disorders. I think if they had had a chance to listen to someone who’s been in their situation speak about finding a way out, it would’ve been easier for them to get help. Jenni Schaefer sounds like a strong and admirable person,” Romero said.

Mojarradi said JADE is paying for part of the cost of this event with funding they received from Associated Students and the USU is covering the remainder of the cost with funding they have for major events.

Michael Gray, 23, English major, said he feels having someone like Schaefer come to CSUN is a good way to show others who are living with an eating disorder that
it is possible to recover and live a normal, happy life.

Mayer said JADE presents a weeklong Eating Disorder Awareness Week every February. The event is frequently attended by over 2,000 students and contains
information about eating disorders, a campus fair and guest speakers.

“We are hoping that with this event we will increase eating disorder awareness and prevention among CSUN students,” Mojarradi said.