B’Mitzvah Projects

Greer Young

For my mitzvah project, I am working to raise awareness about mental illness and eating disorders. I have decided to collect donations of money for a local eating disorder foundation, Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC).

For the past several years I have struggled with my mental health and my eating disorder. Living with a hidden eating disorder has been awful and draining. That said, I am fortunate enough to have access to the professional help I need. But many others, especially teen girls and young adult women, don’t have access to the supportive care that they require and deserve. I believe that the dangers of eating disorders aren’t talked about enough. A national study conducted in 2020 by the Harvard School of Public Health found that eating disorders are associated with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Every hour at least one person dies as a direct result of an eating disorder. That is why I am asking my community to support the work of the Eating Disorders Coalition. A big part of EDC’s mission is to 1) make eating disorders a public health priority by raising awareness amongst lawmakers, and 2) to advocate for intensive ED treatment to be covered by accessible and affordable medical insurance.

I ask three things of you in support of my mitzvah project:

Donations! Your donations will help enable the Eating Disorders Coalition to gather the resources necessary to conduct more lobbying days – in order to encourage lawmakers to take eating disorders more seriously when creating legislation.

To contribute to my mitzvah project – please send your donations to Ashley Young’s CashApp ($smash30), marked ‘For Greer’s Mitzvah Project’. Or if you prefer, leave a check made out to Judy Young in the CJC office. Either way, one hundred percent of your contribution will go directly to the EDC.

2. Be Aware! I want to urge everyone to take mental health more seriously, and be more mindful of how we treat people – whether strangers or the people closest to you. You never know what someone else may be struggling with, alone and in silence. For that reason please don’t make unsolicited comments about the physical appearance and weight of others (even if it comes from a place of concern). If the subject comes up, ask instead what kind of support they need at the moment.

Reach Out! If you are going through a ‘rough patch’ in your own mental health, know that it is okay to reach out for help.

Here are some places to get support:

Message 741741 -and text “help”

Dial 988 to reach someone who will listen at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Call the mobile crisis line at (410) 531-6677

Please share this information and my mitzvah project with your community!

With love and gratitude,
Greer Young!

P.S. When you see me at services or anywhere else, please don’t ask me about my eating disorder. I’m ready to discuss my mitzvah project, but I’m not comfortable with casual conversations about my own mental health.