Latest News

Butterfly Foundation appoints Edelman as communications partner
Butterfly Foundation – Australia’s leading organisation advocating for the needs of people living with eating disorders and body image issues – has engaged Edelman to provide services ranging from strategic media relations, executive communications and thought leadership to media training, content creation and events.

Comprehensive literature review of COVID impact on eating disorders has implications for care
The review, which found that young people and those with existing eating-related issues were most at risk of being impacted by COVID-19, supports Butterfly’s launch of an eating disorder-specific Help Hub – a purpose-built resource to support the mental health of people living with eating disorders and disordered eating.
Butterfly urges people to think before you “shame” your lockdown body
As many Australians emerge from COVID-19 lockdowns, Butterfly Foundation, the national charity for eating disorders and body image issues, is issuing a plea to consider disordered eating and body image issues when posting memes, jokes and commentary around weight gain, needing to lose weight, or extreme dieting.
NSW State Government to Fund Participants at Wandi Nerida – Australia’s First Eating Disorder Recovery Facility
NSW Deputy Minister and Minister for Mental Health, Bronwyn Taylor, MP, today announced a $130m package for mental health, including $16.5m for supporting those with an eating disorder over four years - $474,000 of which will cover the cost for NSW participants to attend Australia’s first dedicated recovery centre for eating disorders.

Butterfly podcast honoured with MHS Journalism Award
The little podcast that could, launched only a year ago, is growing by leaps as it offers community, information, tips for recovery, and stories of hope for people struggling with body image issues and eating disorders.

Eating disorder organisations unite to warn against harmful diet culture messaging, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic
As COVID-19 and lockdowns persist, this year’s Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week (BIEDAW),6 to 12 September, proves to be incredibly important for over one million Australians living with an eating disorder, as well as many more with body image concerns.
Statement on the release of SBS Documentary “What does Australia really think about obesity?”
Members of the Eating Disorder Alliance of Australia (EDAA) in conjunction with Health at Every Size (HAES) Australia, are aware of a new documentary set to broadcast on September 1 2021 called “What Do Australians Really Think About Obesity?”. The show will air the results of a national survey on attitudes towards larger bodied Australians.

Creating body kind homes for Australian families
Butterfly Foundation for eating disorders and body image today launched Body Kind Families, an initiative to help parents of teenagers create a home environment that supports positive body image and being body kind.

Australia’s First Body Image Program for Primary Schools
Primary schools nationwide will now be able to access Butterfly Body Bright, an evidence-informed whole school program designed to help children establish a strong foundation for the development of positive body image, with the aim to protect them from significant issues later in life.
Federal Government to provide $300k for Butterfly Foundation to provide urgent additional support in NSW for those with eating disorders and body image issues
With increasing concerns and likely extended lockdowns in NSW due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Gladys Berejiklian have announced an additional $300,000 in funding for Butterfly Foundation, the national organisation for eating disorders and body image issues, to provide urgent support to young people and families at risk, as part of a $17.35m Commonwealth mental health package to support NSW residents.

Butterfly Foundation Celebrates NAIDOC Week (4-11 July)
NAIDOC Week is a time for all Australians to celebrate and learn about the culture, history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme is Heal Country, which calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

Important Update to MBS Item Numbers For Eating Disorders
From July 1st, 2021, certain GP and other medical practitioner (OMP) telephone MBS item numbers will no longer be available to access under Eating Disorder Management Plans. Moving forward, an individual will only be able to access item numbers with a GP or OMP via video conference or in person.