Can you imagine sitting with a group of ten friends and knowing that one of them has or will suffer from an eating disorder? Beyond Hunger is a nonprofit organization that guides teens in the right direction. Beyond Hunger uses support groups,workshops and education to help individuals overcome food and weight obsession, accept oneself both physically and emotionally, and to increase self esteem. Eating disorders are misunderstood, especially in Marin. Eating disorders have become a joke or an insult you use on a friend. But it is nothing to laugh about. It’s a complicated emotional problem that affects a person’s personality and outlook on life. Shannon Myers, the Executive and Clinical Director of Beyond Hunger, used to be a counselor at Hill Middle School and saw how common eating disorders were. She brought Beyond Hunger to the school and later joined the organization. Shannon says that watching people recover from this battle is the greatest reward. If you know somebody who suffers from anorexia, bulimia or any other disorder, finding them help is the best thing to do. Beyond Hunger offers young people support groups, prevention programs and referrals. Young people can make a difference by becoming peer educators, or by simply befriending a struggling teen at school.