“Two Steps Forward, One Step Back”

By: Nikki Collins
Posted In: News

Last Wednesday afternoon, SRU welcomed Boston University graduate, Megan Hart, who performed a monologue entitled, “The Thin Line” for an audience of students and faculty. In an hour-long monologue, Hart depicted the struggle of a young woman with an eating disorder, acting the parts of Ellen, her mother, best friend, and inner “negative voice.”

Ellen, a young woman with a greatly overlooked disorder in today’s society, is a prime example of the silent, internal hardships that people face everyday. She admits, “you have to walk a thin line to get by.” Ellen, like most young adults, is experiencing a lot of changes in her life and wants to be accepted by everyone; when she sees even the skinniest girls dieting, she gives in to the unrealistic goal of perfection that many are blinded by.

Putting a pair of fancy sunglasses on, Hart transforms her character into Ellen’s “negative voice.” She calls herself, “Miss Negativity” and assumes the role of Ellen’s “personal trainer.” Hart displays Ellen’s inner voice as an overconfident, healthy force feeding off of Ellen’s vulnerability.

Without hesitating, Hart assumes the role of mother and begins organizing Ellen’s desk, speaking nervously.

Ellen’s mother recognizes her daughter’s disorder but, like so many people, cannot fix the problem and therefore feels helpless. As Ellen’s friend claims, everyone knows someone with a problem, yet no one knows what to do. Through Ellen’s mother and friend, Hart expresses the large population of people that are indirectly affected by eating disorders like Ellen’s. The two characters represent the support Ellen shuns but needs desperately.

In an evocative ending to the monologue, Ellen’s friend promises to her, as well as to the audience, that no one is alone in the fight against eating disorders.

After the conclusion of the monologue, a panel of four women supported the ideas brought up by the four characters. Elizabeth Minifie, Salve’s University Counselor, referred to the increasing number of eating disorders as a “dilemma, so paradoxical in its innate self.” Bonnie Fischer from Health Services stressed the physical consequences of eating disorders, stating that approximately 40-60 percent of bone mass is formed during adolescence. Eating disorders are not only mentally taxing but wreak havoc on the body that can never be reversed. Kristin Niessink, a licensed dietitian from the Newport Athletic Club, discussed the importance of collaborating many sources of help, including counselors, dieticians and the athletic department. Emily Riley, a recent graduate of SRU, expressed her struggle with an eating disorder and her terrible college experience because of it. When Emily was given the hope of others, she could slowly begin to take, “two steps forward, one step back.”

If you or anyone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or you would like more information, Health and Counseling Services are available to all students and faculty. Counseling Services is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and can be reached at (401) 341-2987. Health Services is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only and can be reached at (401) 341-2904.