Peer Education

JADE

A Peer Education & Prevention Project


NEW FEATURE! Online Screening for Eating Disorders

  • Do you fear being around food?
  • Obsess about dieting?
  • Feel out of control?
  • Want to get rid of calories?
  • Worry that you may be binge-eating?

Welcome to the on-line screening for eating disorders- a free and anonymous screening that will help you find out -in a few minutes- if you have an eating disorder, whether or not professional consultation would be helpful, and links to sites that provide further information.

Take a moment and find out for yourself. Take the survey. (Use JADE as your keyword.)

What is JADE?

University Counseling Services is the sponsor of JADE, a peer education program dedicated to the awareness and prevention of eating disorders.

Student peer educators, who come from any major, receive extensive training in recognizing and articulating causes, symptoms, treatment and referral sources as they prepare to present this information to classes, clubs and organizations on the Cal State Northridge campus. In addition, they teach students how to help their friends and encourage body image acceptance. Students are also trained in leadership development, public speaking and communication skills, and receive three units for each semester of participation.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders, which include:

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Binge Eating Disorder

can be described as complex illnesses that:

  • Result in extreme behaviors, thoughts and emotions about food, weight, and shape
  • Result in distorted image of one's body
  • Affect both men and women with life-threatening consequences
  • Result from a combination of psychological, cultural and physiological factors

Anorexia Nervosa

  • Fear of weight gain
  • Excessive weight loss
  • Denial of hunger and refusal to eat
  • Excuses to avoid meals
  • Talk and/or think about food all the time
  • View of self as fat, even when very thin
  • Excessive or compulsive exercising
  • Depression, isolation
  • Menstrual periods stop or don't start

Bulimia Nervosa

  • Preoccupation with food and calories, body weight and shape
  • Secret eating, hoarding food
  • Feeling of being out of control
  • Bathroom trips immediately after eating
  • Eating enormous meals without weight gain
  • Binge eating, then purging by vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, fasting or diet pills

Binge Eating Disorder

  • Frequent and recurrent episodes of eating a large quantity of food in a short period of time
  • Eating rapidly and alone
  • Feeling out of control while eating
  • Compulsive eating: can include agitation and a sense of desperation, to the point of taking food from others, stealing from stores, or eating discarded food. This can result in feelings of shame and guilt.

Disordered Eating

  • Less severe symptoms than eating disorders; changes in eating patterns that can lead to weight loss or gain; obsession or focus on weight; can develop into an eating disorder.

On-campus Resources

Klotz Student Health Center offers free peer nutrition counseling as well as free nutritional guidance from a registered dietician. Just call for an appointment (818) 677-3666.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders affect over five million Americans each year. Between 5 and 20% will die from medical complications as a result. Eating disorders interfere with a student's everyday functioning, including an inability to concentrate, study or complete academic work, difficulties with family and friends, feelings of isolation, depression or irritability and problems negotiating the transition to college. Eating disorders can also result in death- over 1000 persons die each year from eating disorders. It is for these reasons that it is so important to have eating disorders education and prevention programs presented on this campus.

In a CSUN study of over 1000 students...

  • 60% said they knew someone with an eating disorder
  • 28% said they had/have and eating disorder

If you think you have an eating disorder, or are concerned about someone you care about, you can call (818) 677-7500 for more information about JADE and up-to-date information and resources. You can also call University Counseling Services at (818) 677-2366, (818) 677-7834 (TTY) for an appointment to discuss your concerns.

You may also find the following links helpful.

Interested in becoming a JADE Peer Educator?

Benefits of Being a Peer Educator:

  • Academic credit
  • Expand your skills and knowledge
  • Be a part of a project that will have an impact on others
  • Resume and graduate school application enhancement
  • Develop long-lasting friendships
  • Satisfaction and fun!

Responsibilities of Peer Educators:

  • Commitment: You must be committed to active participation in the project for the academic year.
  • Training: There will be a comprehensive training seminar that will take place in late August.
  • Peer Educators will be required to attend a weekly seminar meets every Tuesday from 11:00 to 12:15 PM.
  • "Eating Disorders Awareness week:" Peer Educators will be responsible for facilitating the events of the National Eating Disorders Week in the spring.

The Real Scoop: (Quotes from previous Peer Educators)

"JADE is quite possibly the best experience I have had at CSUN." - Annette D.

"For me, this year [with JADE] has been both rewarding and educational. I learned so much." - Rachel Y.

"Jade started as a group of strangers and grew into a family for me. It feels good to have such an impact on campus." - Pam W.

"The friendships I have developed in JADE will last me a lifetime." - Aretha M.

"You will be glad to be a part of such a great organization. You won't regret it!" - Vardui K.

If you are interested in becoming a JADE Peer Educator, contact:

Ellen Mayer, Counselor
University Counseling Services
Bayramian Hall, Room 520
(818) 677-2366
(818) 677-7834 TTY

If you're interested in becoming a JADE Peer Educator, submit a JADE application.

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