Doctors, therapists, people in recovery, and medical professionals are here to help!

Download the statistics from our program, or take a look at a few testimonials for reminders that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  Whether you are a parent, a friend, a person currently suffering from an eating disorder there ARE people who understand and can help!


Please consider any of the following resources:

Robyn Hussa is the Founder and Executive Director of the NORMAL In Schools™ program.
E-mail her with questions, comments or stories at rhussa@normalinschools.org.  Your words make a difference!

Dr. Laura Lees is a Doctor of Psychology, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and one of Milwaukee’s leading experts in the treatment of eating disorders.  Dr. Lees was integral in creating and developing the NIS program and medical curriculum. She is the Vice President of the Board of NIS.  Consider visiting her website to download information about eating disorders or to say hello www.heartandmindmatters.com (414.774.6878).  You may also e-mail her at drlees@normalinschools.org.

Remuda Ranch is one of NIS's sponsors.  They are one of the leading treatment facilities in the nation. 
Consider calling 1.800.445.1900 or visit www.remudaranch.com

Rogers Memorial Hospital sponsored Greendale High School's production of NOR•MAL from the start of the NIS program in October 2006.  www.rogershospital.org 1.800.767.4411 

Aurora Psychiatric www.aurorahealthcare.org
Pamela Elgin is a licensed professional counselor who has served on talk back panels and is a consultant for the NIS program.  She is an expert in the treatment of eating disorders and can be reached at pamela.elgin@aurora.org

Write to the authors of NOR•MAL, Eric Christiansen and Sami Christiansen here. 

Eating Disorders Recovery Support is a partner nonprofit whose mission is to promote education, recognition and treatment of eating disorders for all populations. We strive to accomplish our mission through: 1. Eliminating the shame and stigma currently attached to eating disorders and other mental illnesses. 2. Providing scholarships for eating disorders treatment. 3. Acting as a referral base for those seeking treatment. 4. Lobbying our representatives for increased NIH funding for eating disorders research, and improving coverage for psychiatric illness and ultimately achieving mental health parity. 5. Promoting health policy that supports recovery from eating disorders.

Some facts from National Eating Disorder Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org(1-800-931-2237). 

•  The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds.

•  The average American model is 5’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds.

•  Eating disorders are not about food.  People with eating disorders often use food and the control of food in an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem over-whelming. For some, dieting, binging, and purging may begin as a way to cope with painful emotions and to feel in control of one’s life, but ultimately, these behaviors will damage a person’s physical and emotional health, self-esteem, and sense of competence and control.

•  Four out of ten Americans either suffered or have known someone who has suffered from an eating disorder.

•  In the US, 1-2 million men and 10-15 million women are struggling with a life and death eating disorder.

•  All eating disorders require professional help and are curable if treatment begins early enough.

•  Binge eating disorder is a severe, life-threatening disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of compulsive overeating or binge eating.

•  In the US, at least 25 million people suffer from a binge eating disorder.

•  Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

•  40% of newly identified cases of anorexia are in girls 15-19 years old

•  Between 5-20% of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa will die.

•  Bulimia Nervosa has three primary symptoms:

    - Regular intake of large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating behavior.
    - Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic
      abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise.
    - Extreme concern with body weight and shape.

•  Approximately 80% of bulimia nervosa patients are female.

•  People struggling with bulimia nervosa will often appear to be of average body weight.

•  Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives (Neumark-Sztainer, 2005)


A note from NIS Founder and Executive Director:

In the years that I have been researching this project -- from the workshops of the musical in the late 90's in New York City to producing the show Off-Broadway with my friend Jack Cummings III, to my residency at Greendale High School 10 years later -- I have had the privilege of learning so much first-hand information about eating disorders.  First, through Yvonne's brave story, then through my friends and relatives who struggled with addiction, eating disorders and depression, and finally, to the countless individuals and families who have come forward to tell their own story.   Each of you have made NIS a reality. 

Parents have approached me privately to tell their stories, not realizing that each family was filled with similar feelings of shame and guilt.  They had no idea that other families (sometimes in the same community) had endured an addiction or eating disorder.  They had no idea that other families were going through this, too!

People everywhere are feeling shame, isolation and, as a result, are sitting alone -- in silence. 

The silence doesn't make it go away. 
The silence is making it worse.

When I left New York City to start this program, I had no idea the magnitude of the stress our kids and families are under today.  I was absolutely clueless.  Kids are under an extraordinary amount of pressure today and it is manifesting itself in so many ways: eating disorders, cutting, drug addiction, depression, suicide and a myriad of other issues.  After seeing it first-hand it is profoundly clear that we must find the time to talk to each other and come together as families and communities. 

For the countless number of you who have come forward with your pain -- how you think about food constantly, your body, how you feel insignificant, how stressed, desperate, miserable, embarrassed you feel -- THANK YOU for bravely sharing your story with me.  You have changed my life.  Every one of you has changed my life and fueled me forward. 

For the two moms from California who brought their ten-year-old daughters to see my show in New York City -- you are the reason I started this program.  After I met you and your daughters, I realized that eating disorders were an issue even at the grade school level. 

Thank you for opening my eyes.

I have seen people and families in so much pain.
And I have seen people get help.
I have seen the dark clouds go away for men, women, boys, girls and families. 

I have learned that the healing starts by telling someone. 
Anyone. 
Please.  Tell someone today.