Social media has a large influence in society today. The University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) is challenging the student body to embrace their natural beauty and take part in the “No Filter Challenge”.

They are encouraging everyone to turn off the filters, take off the makeup and stop editing to let their real selves be seen.

“We are excited to see the photos everyone posts and hope it raises awareness to the amount of time spent trying to perfect the image we put out into the world,” says Jill Mallin, UHCS psychologist. “We hope it encourages individuals to be more accepting of their true selves.”

Every year the UHCS recognizes National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and the “No Filter Challenge” is the 2019 version of spreading awareness.

Erica Fischer, the UHCS wellness coordinator, says part of the challenge is to “destroy false standards of perfection” and for everyone to “show their true, authentic selves.”

In addition to the challenge, UHCS played a documentary Wednesday Feb. 27, 2019 called The Illusionists. The film explores media messages and negative body image.

“Our focus this year is to highlight the role that the media plays in creating a culture of insecurity, perfectionism, and overall body negativity,” says Fischer.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a United States wide effort, but every year the UHCS hosts events to “advocate for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders,” says Fischer.

As a part of the event, the health center is offering a self screening tool through the National Eating Disorders Awareness organization that can tell curious participants about the symptoms that associate with eating disorders. The “No Filter Challenge” promotes the idea of self-love from head to toe.