Staff Writer
“Some of the material is kind of heavy,” says Stacey Rose, director of health and wellness at Springfield College. Ironic she says the word “heavy” because the four girls featured in the documentary THIN want to be anything but.
SC students were able to watch the powerful documentary THIN on Monday, in the Wellness Center. The film showcases four girls at the Renfrew Center in Coconut Creek, Fla., receiving treatment for eating disorders and fighting individual battles with their disorders.
These four girls were from different parts of the country, who met at Renfrew with the same goal in mind: to get help. THIN documents these women in therapy sessions, meal times and even in their lowest moments. The film really shows that eating disorders are real and can lead to dangerous consequences if let go too far.
During the presentation, many blank faces were staring at the screen. Nick Gaetano said, “In my eyes, this film was very alarming to see that people have eating disorders. Seeing them struggle for help is eye-opening.”
THIN displayed some very graphic images; as anyone can imagine, dealing with an eating disorder is a serious thing. Although each of the four girls fighting this disease were suffering, they were receiving great guidance in improving their lives. Another SC student reacted to this movie similarly to many others. “This documentary is incredibly eye-opening. It shows the struggles these women deal with, with the trials & tribulations they go through on their quest to become healthy,” said Kristiann Kassay.
This campus event was a part of the Love Your Body Week at Springfield College, which runs from February 26th-March 3rd, which also happens to be National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This viewing of THIN was the first of three events that were held within the week. The two other events were Body Awareness Yoga on Tuesday and Mindful Eating for a Healthy Body on Wednesday.
Video produced by Kevin Moss.
“It can be so hidden,” said Elizabeth Donahue, on eating disorders. As seen in the movie, each of the four girls had been hiding their disorders for quite some time, which may have been what landed them in the treatment facility.
On hand for the movie presentation were two counselors from the Counseling Center at Springfield College. They were there if anyone had any questions about the movie or about eating disorders in general.
Many Springfield College students attended this event, which could teach them about the dangers and realities that accompany eating disorders. At the end of the movie, the only thing heavy about the movie THIN were the effects this movie had on SC students.
CJ Legner may be reached at cjlegner@springfieldcollege.edu