Eating disorders don’t just change how someone eats—they change how someone thinks, feels, and survives. They strip away confidence, stability, and purpose until life becomes centered around fear, control, and self-consciousness. Although eating disorders are among the most life-threatening mental health conditions affecting adolescents today, they are still misunderstood as a “choice” or a “phase,” especially in academically competitive and socially demanding environments where comparison and competition thrive. Because of stigma, misinformation, and fear of judgment, many people ignore early warning signs and struggle in silence, delaying help and increasing both mental and physical risk. PROJECT AWARE was created to change that. Built as a student-founded nonprofit with an accessible website, this initiative was designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide a safe space for individuals to engage with eating disorder education privately and safely. By focusing on education over diagnosis and sharing research-based information, support resources, and strategies such as DBT and CBT, PROJECT AWARE works to break the silence and create long-term impact beyond DECA—strengthening recovery, understanding, and community-wide support.
