Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

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..

New 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.

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Home

Blog

A space for sharing all things body image and eating disorders related. All blog entries are written by our staff, those with a lived experience and professionals.

Why I Choose to #BoycottTheBefore

"Our struggles cannot be boiled down to a “before” photo; there is so much more to our recoveries." Mental health advocate and guest writer Lexie Manion shares why we should avoid posting "before" photos and explains her instagram movement #BoycottTheBefore

Orthorexia: How my pursuit of ‘health’ resulted in an eating disorder

What started out as a simple choice to eat "healthy" foods quickly spiraled into an eating disorder for Sophie. Here she explains her experience with Orthorexia, an emerging eating disorder, and what helped her in her recovery journey.

An International Women’s Day Q&A

This International Women's Day, we sat down with women in the eating disorder, mental health and social justice spaces to celebrate their careers, dedication and to learn how we can encourage women leaders and create an equal world.

The Importance of Support Groups in Eating Disorder Recovery

Eating disorders are often experienced in isolation, and many individuals fail to seek treatment because of stigma and a lack of understanding. Butterfly’s Support Programs Coordinator Archana Waller believes a key part in reducing this is ensuring social support is readily available and viewed as an integral part of the recovery process. Read this Q&A with Archana on her study published in the Qualitative Research Journal to learn more about the benefits of support groups in eating disorder recovery and how you too can take part.

My pregnancy journey: What I have learnt about body image and how I’m accepting my changing body

"It’s not easy watching the body you’ve known and controlled for years change, with no choice but to sit back and let it happen. But in moments of darkness I remember my body isn’t ruined; it has changed to create, house, feed and birth our son." Melissa shares her journey with an eating disorder and body image while pregnant.

How To Prioritise Your Eating Disorder Recovery During Stages Of Transition

Change can be hard for every human, however it can be particularly difficult for those of us who are in the process of recovery. Read this blog from guest writer Natasha, who through seeking support for her eating disorder, has learnt a range of tips to help ease the transitions that life inevitably throws at us.

This V-Day, have a Me-Day by showing yourself and your body some kindness

Whether you’re single or partnered-up, writer Patrick Boyle tells us everyone could use a little self-love on this fake holiday. Read on to learn how to practice self love and body acceptance and kindness this Valentine's Day.

Safer Internet Day: Curating your Instagram Feed to Support Eating Disorder Recovery

What we see and engage with on social media has an impact on our body image and wellbeing. In light of Safer Internet Day, Melbourne-based writer Sam van Zweden shares how it is possible to create a safe social media feed that can be used positively and proactively in eating disorder recovery.

On Chronic Pain, Eating Disorders and Weight Stigma

When Nic McDermid was diagnosed with a chronic illness and an eating disorder, she couldn’t help but wonder if the treatment she received would have been different if she wasn’t fat. Now a fat activist, writer and speaker, Nic has learnt to reclaim the word fat as an empowering and important term – but it’s clear more needs to be done surrounding weight stigma in the wider community.

Back to School: A Body Image and Mental Health Guide for Parents and Children

The 2021 school year is upon us, and as with any school year it will bring about a range of different feelings. Butterfly's Education and Prevention team have put together a 'Body Image and Mental Health' Back to School Guide for parents and children to make this time a little easier for all. Read these practical tips and advice on how to promote positive body image amongst your children and look after their wellbeing and mental health.

New Year’s Resolutions Beyond Weight and Appearance

The New Year period is often fraught with resolutions related to weight, dieting, food and appearance, and this can be particularly challenging for those with eating disorders and body image concerns. We’ve put together a series of resolution ideas that will instead allow you to focus on being happy, improve your well-being, and concentrate on self-care, self-love and compassion.

A Guide to Navigating the Festive Season After the Year That Was

2020 has been an extremely challenging year for many people, especially those people experiencing eating disorders and their loved ones. The Christmas and holiday season may be tougher than usual this year – for a range of reasons. Butterfly's National Manager of Prevention Services , Danni, has put together a series of tips to help navigate the festive season.

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Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

© 2022 The Butterfly Foundation | ABN 42 102 193 582