UNE's Add Verb Productions presents 'Thin Line' to Maine Legislature Feb 26th

University of New England's Add Verb Productions has partnered with The National Eating Disorders Association and Mainely Girls to present "The Thin Line" to Maine legislators on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. in the Welcome Center of the State House in Augusta. 

The event aims to create awareness for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 23-March 2), and let policy makers know what they can do to prevent this serious illness that affects many young people.

"The Thin Line," written by Add Verb Executive Director Cathy Plourde, is a 30-minute one-woman show that breaks the silence surrounding eating disorders. It has toured nationally to colleges, high schools, community centers and conferences since 2000. 

It weaves together the voices of four characters - a girl who is struggling, her internal negative voice, her mother, and a friend - showing how the disease affects not only the individual struggling, but also how it impacts his or her surrounding family and circle of friends. The Thin Line has received high praise from experts, health care providers, teachers, parents, college students and youth.

In the United States, as many as 10 million women and one million men are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 25 million more are struggling with other forms of disordered eating. 

Eating Disorders are the third most common chronic illness among adolescents; they have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and they affect every organ system in the body. Serious, long-term health complications can be avoided, if eating disorders are detected early. Awareness and early intervention are keys to prevention. 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.