By By Sarah Lavers, News Correspondent

This week, Northeastern is hosting Eating Disorder Awareness Week on campus. NEWCOPE, Northeastern University’s Eating and Weight Concerns Project, will be sponsoring events throughout the week pertaining to nutrition, diet, exercise and how to help those who have eating disorders.
The group’s goals are to prevent eating disorders and spread awareness of them, NEWCOPE member and psychology major Jennifer Moran said. The group also refers people to help outside of the university such as support groups and counselors, she said.
In addition, they have the means to provide referrals to students who deal with substance abuse, depression and anxiety, nutrition, obesity, pregnancy, sexual abuse and other special services.
NEWCOPE members train with Emily Fox Kales, assistant academic specialist at the Center for Interdisciplinary studies and founder of NEWCOPE, for a semester. Many members train in a course entitled, ‘Developing Education and Intervention Programs for Eating Disorders,’ where they role play scenarios and work to strengthen their listening skills in order to assist those who come to NEWCOPE drop-in hours.
‘We focus on how to be an empathetic listener instead of just sharing our opinions,’ NEWCOPE member Krystle Orlando said.
NEWCOPE members get a chance to test their in-class learning during the drop-in hours, which run Tuesdays, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. These sessions provide an opportunity for any students who have concerns for themselves or others, regarding eating disorders, to seek help and to get referrals. The drop-in hours are held at the NEWCOPE office, which is located in 314 Ell Hall.
‘It’s important that people know they are not alone,’ said Tara Vilk, publicity coordinator for NEWCOPE. ‘There are others facing eating disorders too, and just knowing there’s a group out there that can understand that is very important.’
As part of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, NEWCOPE is hosting a series of events to raise awareness and provide a means of support to those who may seek it.
The events will begin with an ongoing slideshow at afterHOURS Monday, Feb. 23′ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring images from various forms of media.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, NEWCOPE will be offering information on both what you can do to help and how to get help on the first floor of Curry Student Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, NEWCOPE aims to emphasize both the physical and psychological aspects related to eating disorders. They will offer a free yoga class at noon, taught by Caroline Harvey of’ Back Bay Yoga Studio, in the Living & Learning Center in 20 Stetson East.
Harvey will also speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday in 300 Richards Hall regarding overall wellness and her personal recovery through the use of performance poetry, said NEWCOPE member Lauren Haythe.
‘Expect an unexpected evening of truth, creative inspiration and a light in the dark for anyone who is, or knows someone who is, struggling to accomplish the incredible work of healthy eating,’ Haythe said.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, NEWCOPE is offering a chance to win free groceries on the first floor of Curry Student Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will have information on diet and nutrition ideas and will also hold a Whole Foods gift certificate giveaway.