Illinois Psychological Association (IPA) members throughout the state took it upon themselves to educate members of their communities on the symptoms, signs, and effects of eating disorders at four screening sites during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in February.

Practitioners supplemented APA campaign brochures, fact sheets and a list of local resources with packets of educational materials received from Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. (EDAP). This information was provided to participants at all four locations and an EDAP video was shown daily.

How did they stir up enthusiasm among members and the press? Immediately prior to National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, IPA placed a call to action in the association newsletter encouraging all members to participate in screenings throughout the state. To garner media attention, a press release was sent to PR Newswire and distributed to local print, television, and radio contacts.

A variety of creative public education campaign tactics were implemented by practitioners who organized these endeavors. 'We built up a great deal of momentum during the week,' said Nancy Molitor, Ph.D., IPA Campaign Coordinator. 'I was impressed by the number of original approaches our practitioners utilized to get the word out about this very serious and often overlooked disease.'

Following are snapshots from Illinois screening sites:

REGINA HIGH SCHOOL

Four IPA members contacted the staff of a local all-girls high school in Wilmette to ask for their cooperation in sponsoring a week of activities devoted to promoting eating disorders awareness. Students got involved in the event by creating posters and photo collages highlighting eating disorder statistics and the unhealthy images of women portrayed by the media in our society.

A different topic was presented by psychologists and a staff nutritionist every lunch period throughout the week, such as Society Messages, Nutrition and a Healthy Diet, Clinical Aspects of Anorexia, Bulimia and Overeating. Activities culminated with 'Fearless Friday' -- a national effort to take a stand against dieting.

One hundred girls enrolled in the school took the opportunity to be screened by a practitioner. Psychologists developed a follow-up system with the school and parents of the girls who were identified as possibly benefiting from a referral.

EQUITABLE BUILDING

One resourceful psychologist rallied some of her colleagues and hosted a screening in the lobby of the downtown building in Chicago where her practice is located. The site provided a screening opportunity to the more than 500 people who visited the booth. Four practitioners gave 20 screenings and several were referred for possible treatment.

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

Another IPA member -- affiliated with the student counseling center of Chicago's DePaul University -- took her screening ideas to work with her by setting up a site at the school. Five practitioners volunteered, screening 45 students and university employees, and information on warning signs for eating disorders were given to all participants.

FRANKLIN LOEBE RECREATION CENTER

Two Illinois psychologists made use of their local community center. Eating disorders screenings were provided to nine consumers at the Franklin Loebe Recreation Center in Orland Park, and appropriate referrals were made.

The public education didn't stop there, however. A reporter from the Southtown Economist, who is currently working on a feature story focusing on eating disorders, visited the community recreation center site and interviewed a practitioner and several consumers.

Placing campaign ads just got easier. Given the success of local advertising in 1997, APA recently announced a substantial change in its Campaign Advertising Assistance Program. Effective immediately, state, regional and local associations and divisions need only raise 20 percent of a total buy -- APA will contribute the remaining 80 percent.

'One of the primary campaign strategies is that activities at the national level will be complemented by similar activities at the local level,' says Jan Peterson, APA's Director of Public Relations and Special Projects. 'In addition to making local advertising placement more feasible, we anticipate that this new grant program will help heighten grassroots mobilization across the nation.'

To apply for assistance, a detailed campaign activities plan including a program description, timeline, and budget must be submitted to the Practice Directorate.

The Idaho Psychological Association is the first 1998 recipient. Having raised $4,000, they plan to purchase $20,000 worth of advertising in May.