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  • 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.

    Read more
    • Eating disorders explained
    • Recovery from an eating disorder
    • Risks and warning signs
    • Myths about eating disorders
    • Who does it affect?
    • Concerned about someone you know?
    • Eating disorders treatment

    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.

    Read more
    • Body image explained
    • Who does it affect?
    • Boosting body image
    • Modelling healthy body image
    • Health not weight
    • Can body image issues be serious?

    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.

    Read more
    • How we help
    • Helpline
    • In the Wings: Single Session Intervention
    • Covid Help Hub
    • Chat online
    • Online support groups
    • Find a Professional
    • Online programs & education
    • Face to face support groups
    • Support programs
    • Residential treatment

    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.

    Read more
    • Refer to our services
    • Information, support and referrals for your clients
    • Join the Butterfly National Helpline referral database
    • Understanding Medicare Eating Disorder Plans FAQs
    • Looking after your mental health as a health professional

    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.

    Read more
    • About our programs
    • For schools
    • For other professionals working with young people
    • For sporting groups
    • For the whole community
    • Upcoming training & events

    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.

    Read more
    • About Butterfly
    • Our Board
    • Our team
    • Our partners & supporters
    • Careers
    • Research & policy publications
    • Annual Reports
    • Reconciliation & inclusion
    • Contact us

    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.

    Read more
    • Ways to get involved
    • Our impact
    • Butterfly Collective
    • Butterfly Pathfinders
    • Lived Experience Community Insights Group
    • Share your story
    • Campaigns
    • Fundraise for us
    • Become a corporate partner
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • Shop
    • Events

    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

Need help?
  • Eating disorders
    • Eating disorders explained
    • Recovery from an eating disorder
    • Risks and warning signs
    • Myths about eating disorders
    • Who does it affect?
    • Concerned about someone you know?
    • Eating disorders treatment
  • Body image
    • Body image explained
    • Who does it affect?
    • Boosting body image
    • Modelling healthy body image
    • Health not weight
    • Can body image issues be serious?
  • Get support
    • How we help
    • Helpline
    • In the Wings: Single Session Intervention
    • Covid Help Hub
    • Chat online
    • Online support groups
    • Find a Professional
    • Online programs & education
    • Face to face support groups
    • Support programs
    • Residential treatment
  • Health Professionals
    • Refer to our services
    • Information, support and referrals for your clients
    • Join the Butterfly National Helpline referral database
    • Understanding Medicare Eating Disorder Plans FAQs
    • Looking after your mental health as a health professional
  • School & Youth Professionals
    • About our programs
    • For schools
    • For other professionals working with young people
    • For sporting groups
    • For the whole community
    • Upcoming training & events
  • Who we are
    • About Butterfly
    • Our Board
    • Our team
    • Our partners & supporters
    • Careers
    • Research & policy publications
    • Annual Reports
    • Reconciliation & inclusion
    • Contact us
  • Get involved
    • Ways to get involved
    • Our impact
    • Butterfly Collective
    • Butterfly Pathfinders
    • Lived Experience Community Insights Group
    • Share your story
    • Campaigns
    • Fundraise for us
    • Become a corporate partner
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • Shop
    • Events
  • Home
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  • News & Media
  • Resources
  • Your Stories
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Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Need help?
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Latest News

25 Aug 2014

NSW Coronial Inquiry links eating disorders and suicide

I’m with you today to call for a greater level of vigilance from all Australians, following today’s historic findings by the NSW Coroner that anorexia nervosa was a foundational component of a young woman’s suicide.

Learn more
18 Aug 2014

Butterfly’s 1st Eating Disorders treatment service opens

Butterfly Foundation today launched the Butterfly Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for eating disorders, bringing to Australia for the first time the internationally renowned Monte Nido treatment program.

Learn more
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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.

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