Support for Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues

Eating disorders
What can cause an eating disorder?

It’s unlikely that one single thing will lead to an eating disorder. There is often a combination of risk factors, including genetics, emotional factors and cultural influences.

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Who gets eating disorders?

No matter your size, shape, age, abilities, gender identity, sexuality, cultural or linguistic background, economic status or location, anyone can experience an eating disorder.

Do you know someone at risk?

Approximately 9% of Australians will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime but it’s not possible to tell if a person has an eating disorder simply by their appearance.
Body image
What is body image?

Body image is the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs we have about our bodies and how we look, including our shape, size, weight, and the way our body functions for us.

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Body image issues don’t discriminate.

There are many factors that can contribute to poor body image and body dissatisfaction. Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures.

How can I develop a positive body image?

Feeling positive about your body is an individual journey and will be different for everyone. But creating body satisfaction, self-confidence, self-love, or even just body acceptance is possible.
Get support
Butterfly provides support, care, referrals and resources

Whether for you, a friend, a family member, a client, or anyone else that you care about, Butterfly is here to offer support.

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Butterfly’s National Helpline

Our helpline is free and confidential, and our specialist counsellors offer non-judgmental support over the phone, by email and by online chat, seven days a week.

Search Butterfly's Referral Database

Find eating disorder professionals, services and treatment nearest to you, through our Referral Database, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health Professionals
Information, resources and referrals for your clients

Our Helpline and support services are not only for people impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, but also for clinicians and other health and education professionals.

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Butterfly referral database

Butterfly's Referral Database provides a directory of professionals, screened for an understanding of eating disorders, so people Australia-wide can find appropriate care..

Medicare items for eating disorders

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders may be eligible for new Medicare rebates under the Eating Disorder Medicare Plan.
School & Youth Professionals
Programs for people working with young people

Butterfly offers presentations, resources and workshops to teachers, professionals, young people and parents on the risk and protective factors for body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and eating disorders.

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Body Kind Schools

A free initiative every September open to anyone working with young people. A fantastic way to connect empowering body positive messaging to EVERYONE in your school or organization.

Butterfly Body Bright

A new whole of school program to promote positive body image and healthy attitudes and behaviours towards the body, eating, and physical activity in primary school-aged children.
Who we are
About Butterfly

Butterfly changes lives by providing support services, treatment and resources, delivering prevention and early intervention programs and advocating for the needs of those with eating disorders and body image issues.

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A Voice for Change

As the voice of lived experience, Butterfly advocates on behalf of people impacted by negative body image, eating disorders, and those who support and care for them.

Our Partners and Supporters

Butterfly is extremely grateful for the passion and commitment of our dedicated corporate and community partners.
Get involved
Ways to get involved

There are many different ways you can get involved and help bring about positive change for those experiencing eating disorders and negative body image. You are a vital part of the solution.

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Our Impact

Established nearly 20 years, Butterfly’s multi-skilled team continue to make a significant impact within the mental health sector.

Share Your Story

Every experience of an eating disorder is unique. Sharing stories from personal experience allows for reflection, understanding and connection.

Support for eating disorders and body image issues

We believe everyone’s experience of an eating disorder or body image issue is unique and access to effective services is essential.

Support for eating disorders and body image issues

Over 1 million Australians are living with an eating disorder. Less than a quarter of those receive treatment or support.

Recovery from an eating disorder is possible

Recovery from an eating disorder is possible

Are you concerned about someone you know?

Are you concerned about someone you know?

Myths about eating disorders

Myths about eating disorders

Can body image issues be serious?

Can body image issues be serious?

Programs addressing the risk factors for young people

Programs addressing the risk factors for young people

Treatment & Support Services

Treatment & Support Services

New primary school program proven to support positive body image in pupils

Butterfly wins funding to develop Body Kind Online Education to help strengthen Australian students’ body image on social media

We would like to thank our partners & supporters

What can cause an eating disorder?

Who gets eating disorders?

Do you know someone at risk?

What is body image?

Body image issues don’t discriminate.

How can I develop a positive body image?

Butterfly provides support, care, referrals and resources

Butterfly’s National Helpline

Search Butterfly's Referral Database

Information, resources and referrals for your clients

Butterfly referral database

Medicare items for eating disorders

Programs for people working with young people

Body Kind Schools

Butterfly Body Bright

About Butterfly

A Voice for Change

Our Partners and Supporters

Ways to get involved

Our Impact

Share Your Story

Support for eating disorders and body image issues

Over 1 million Australians are living with an eating disorder. Less than a quarter of those receive treatment or support.

Recovery from an eating disorder is possible

Recovery from an eating disorder is possible

Are you concerned about someone you know?

Are you concerned about someone you know?

Myths about eating disorders

Myths about eating disorders

Can body image issues be serious?

Can body image issues be serious?

Programs addressing the risk factors for young people

Programs addressing the risk factors for young people

Treatment & Support Services

Treatment & Support Services

New primary school program proven to support positive body image in pupils

Butterfly wins funding to develop Body Kind Online Education to help strengthen Australian students’ body image on social media

We would like to thank our partners & supporters

On the fly Newsletter

Donate to the Summer of Kindness