“Eating disorders are a mental illness and a lot of times people do not recognize that, Hilary Pacha, Executive Director of One Hope Project told Cities 92.9 at the nonprofit’s ribbon cutting and open house this week. “In fact they have the second highest mortality rate than any other mental illness other than opioid addiction.”
“Every 52 minutes someone dies because of an eating disorder,” Pacha stated. “But people don’t hear about that. They don’t know about that. And it’s such a big problem that one, just knowing there are services helps, that’s why we have stepped in to fill that gap.
Pacha continued, “But also if we are that much of a huge mental illness in the community, or just even nationally, to think that every 52 minutes someone dies but we are actually the most underfunded mental illness, so I just really want people to really be aware of the problem that exists and that there’s not a lot of resources out there. We are just trying to do our part to do what we can for McLean County”
The One Hope Project, helps anyone affected by eating disorders. Many people struggling with eating disorders are not receiving the care and support they need to recover. One Hope Project provides the critical services needed to care for individuals and families affected by these illnesses.
The organization believes, “Access to and affordability of services should never be barriers to receiving the treatment a client deserves and their family or loved ones need.”
One Hope Project’s mission is to walk alongside clients on their journey to recovery from eating disorders through education, intervention, and treatment. Services include case management, counseling, recovery coaching, prevention education, professional training, and advocacy. They seek to ensure clients have the best opportunity for a full and successful recovery.
Pacha, has over 15 years of experience in leading social services organizations and programs. Before creating One Hope Project, Pacha was the Senior Director of Prevention and Empowerment Services at the YWCA of McLean County, leading Stepping Stones, Labyrinth, Youth Empowerment, and a variety of other programs.
We discussed one of today’s issues, that of the pressure social media puts on young people regarding their appearance with Sam Guillory, Chairperson of Development and Public Relations.
Guillory stated, “Growing up (before social media) you were just looking around looking at your friends and your family and you didn’t have the interference of social media. Now every single time you open your phone you are seeing unrealistic disproportionate images of what we are supposed to look like.”
“One Hope Project is here to bust myths; including that that’s what you are supposed to look like, including that eating disorders are affecting only women and not men, and to end the stigma around disordered eating,” Guillory added.
If you are concerned about a loved one or feel you might have an eating disorder, contact One Hope Project at www.OneHopeProject.org or (309) 501-1991 today to learn more.
