To Write Love On Her Arms TCU UChapter plans to raise awareness of eating disorders at a presentation and meeting Wednesday. 

Eric Wood of the Counseling, Testing and Mental Health Center will give the presentation, To Write Love On Her Arms TCU UChapter president Lauren Blassberg said. 

The UChapter is affiliated with TWLOHA Inc., a national nonprofit movement dedicated to fostering hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also invest directly into treatment and recovery, Blassberg, a junior finance major, said. 

Wood, assistant director of counseling, testing and mental health, said body image issues were prevalent in college.

“We want to convey the impact of body image issues on the students,” Wood said. “We want to encourage people to talk about it and just realize how much it can affect how people see themselves and how they see other people, but also transition that into ways to live a healthy lifestyle.”   

This is something many individuals at the university struggled with, Blassberg said. Through this event, TWLOHA TCU UChapter aimed to raise awareness of how to recognize eating disorders. 

TWLOHA’s goal was to erase the stigma of mental health issues such as depression and eating disorders by having open conversations, Blassberg said. 

“We are still getting the organization off the ground, but so far it has been awesome being involved,” Blassberg said. “I love seeing people who share similar interests join together to share their passion with the community, and I look forward to the future of the group.”  

The organization planned to help out Frogs CARE, an organization committed to educating other students about alcohol, other substances, and related health and wellness issues, with its suicide prevention 5K walk, Blassberg said. 

It planned to have its final meeting of the semester April 25 at 9 p.m. to elect officers for next semester. TWLOHA TCU UChapter aimed to get more speakers and to continue working with the counseling center to provide presentations that supported its mission.

Laura Donnelly, treasurer of TWLOHA TCU UChapter said the goals were to provide awareness and foster discussion in a welcoming environment. 

“I think [eating disorders] are an important issue, especially among college students. I’m really looking forward to conversation with other members of the TCU community,” Donnelly said. 

Everyone was invited to join TWLOHA TCU UChapter, Blassberg said. Those interested could visit the To Write Love On Her Arms TCU UChapter Facebook page and could join the organization on OrgSync to keep updated on the meetings and events.