Mindful Eating Support Team

Support for Students Navigating Food, Weight and Body Image Concerns

The Vassar College Mindful Eating Support Team (MEST) coordinates a wellness-focused assessment and referral program designed to support students navigating food, weight, and body image concerns. Engaging with the Mindful Eating Support Team allows for care coordination between departments and off-campus specialists.

This multidisciplinary team consists of representatives from the fields of medicine, mental health, exercise, and nutrition who work collaboratively toward enhancing your physical and emotional well-being.

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Students should consider making a referral to the team on behalf of yourself or another student when one or more of these are of concern:

• Nutritional intake concerns
• Support needed for eating disorder recovery (either currently or previously in treatment)
• Medical concerns related to food and nutrition (other than weight concerns)
• Preoccupation or dissatisfaction or low self-worth related to your body image
• High weight concerns
• Low weight concerns
• Food accessibility concerns
• Athletic or exercise performance concerns
• Disordered eating behaviors that are recurrent or persistent such as:
  • Self-induced vomiting
  • Episodes of binge eating
  • Frequent meal skipping or fasting
  • Persistent over-exercising
  • Intense fear of changes in physical appearance
  • Overuse of laxatives or diuretics
  • Medication manipulation
  • Intense feelings of shame, guilt or anxiety in regard to eating

This short screening from the National Eating Disorders Association can help determine if it is time for support: Eating Disorders Screening Tool.

Warning signs and symptoms of eating disorders, from the National Eating Disorders Association.

Additional Support Resources.

Connect with the Team

Please complete the MEST referral form to connect yourself, or a student you are concerned about, to personalized mindful eating support resources. The Coordinator of MEST from Vassar College Health Service and the CARE team will review the form within seven business days of submission and will make the appropriate support connections in a collaborative, coordinated and confidential manner. All referrals will remain private and confidential.

Team Members

• CARE Office
• Counseling Service
• Health Service
• Sports Medicine and Student Athlete-Welfare
• Health Promotion and Education
• Associate Dean of Student Living & Wellness
• Registered Dietitians

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I submit the form?

• If you submitted the form on behalf of yourself, the Coordinator of MEST in the Health Service will reach out to you to schedule a consultation.
• If you submitted the referral form on behalf of someone else, a member of the CARE office will reach out to the student you are referring to the team in order to offer services and support.

Is there a cost to the support services offered?

• All on-campus resources are free of charge. In the event that you need to be referred to an off-campus provider or specialist, the provider will bill your insurance and your specific policy fees, such as copays, will apply. The CARE office can support you if the provider is not covered by your insurance, or if there is financial hardship.

Who can utilize this service?

• All Vassar students can utilize this service to refer themselves to MEST.
• Any Vassar community member can utilize this service to refer a student of concern.
• Parents, family members and friends can utilize this service to refer their Vassar student.
• Vassar employees who have concerns about themselves or other Vassar employees should contact Human Resources at (845) 437-7802 or the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for additional support and guidance.

Is the referral kept confidential?

• Yes. Referrals are confidential and can be submitted anonymously. If referring someone else to MEST, it is helpful to provide your contact information as the CARE office may need to reach out to you for further information regarding the student of concern. Your information will NEVER be disclosed to the referred student.

Where do I go for my appointment?

• Your initial medical consultation appointment will be at the Health Service in Baldwin Hall. The MEST Coordinator will provide you with the specific appointment information and location.
• Subsequent appointments with support services will be scheduled independently with the appropriate providers. The Coordinator of MEST and the CARE team members will help connect you with the appropriate resources.

What if I want to discontinue services?

• Please notify the MEST Coordinator or email mest@vassar.edu to discontinue services.

Informational Health Links

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): ANAD Support Groups

Center for Discovery: Support Groups

Eating Recovery Center: College Student/Early Adult Support

National Alliance for Eating Disorders: Pro Recovery Virtual Support Groups

ProjectHeal: Connection to Support Groups for a Variety of Communities

Renfrew: Support group for college students

The Eating Disorder Foundation: Support Groups Schedule