A call every 24 minutes – Australia’s only national eating disorder Helpline struggling to keep up with demand
Supporting over 22,000 people a year aged 8-88, contacts to the Butterfly National Helpline peak in the evening when distress and risk is at its highest, yet funding has not kept up with demand.
- Over 22,000 contacts in 2025 – an increase of 125% since 2015
- 59 per cent of contacts are seeking help for the first time
- 70 per cent increase in Helpline contacts during 3pm-midnight, the service’s busiest and most critical hours
- Contacts range in age between 8 years and 88 years, including those seeking support for their loved ones
With a 125 per cent increase in contacts since 2015, Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s national charity for eating disorders and body image concerns, is calling for extra support to meet a surge in contacts to the only dedicated eating disorder Helpline available Australia-wide.
The number of people impacted by eating disorders has increased by 21 per cent since 2012 and eating disorders costs Australia $67 billion every year [1], making these life-threatening mental illnesses a growing national challenge, said Butterfly CEO Jim Hungerford.
“Over 1.1 million people in Australia experience an eating disorder every year, and there are countless more carers and family members who also need our support to understand what their loved ones are going through.
“We know that if everyone impacted by an eating disorder called the Butterfly National Helpline to access the free care and support they so desperately need, that our services would crash. We desperately need more funding to hire and train more counsellors so that we’re ready to answer when demand peaks in the evening.”
A life-changing call for help
Caitlin, a 33 year old mental health worker and mum from Victoria, knows firsthand the life-saving impact of calling the Butterfly National Helpline.
After battling an eating disorder for over 15 years, Caitlin was facing a relapse while undergoing IVF, and not even her partner or GP knew she was struggling.
Research shows shame and stigma are frequently identified as the greatest barriers in seeking help for an eating disorder2. The shame was so great for Caitlin that she called the Butterfly Helpline under the guise of being concerned for a friend.
“I held onto so much weight stigma about being in a larger body. I remember thinking, I’ll call anonymously… just in case they say I don’t deserve help.”
“I don’t know if the counsellor realised that I was actually talking about myself and not a friend, but the advice she gave me for my ‘friend’ was exactly what I needed. It was the first time I believed I was worthy of help,” she said.
Caitlin was equipped with life-changing advice, and today, she’s back in the kitchen baking, has just welcomed her second baby, and has enrolled in university to help even more people struggling with their mental health.
She is just one of thousands of people across Australia who needed Butterfly at one of their darkest moments.
“Every 24 minutes, someone attempts to connect with the Butterfly National Helpline for confidential and free support for eating disorders or body image concerns,” said Helpline counsellor Ayesha Khan.
“We know that window of courage to press the call button can be the tipping point… if that first call goes unanswered, some people may not try again.”
Butterfly’s National Helpline is the only one of its kind in Australia, and while the government has committed vital funding of the infrastructure for three years, demand is overwhelming it, especially during the evening peak.
Butterfly is calling for donations this end of financial year to ensure more counsellors are available to provide confidential and free support for eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, Australia-wide. To find out more, visit https://donate.helpline.butterfly.org.au/
-ENDS-
Media Contact:
Zoe Bradbury – Butterfly Communications Manager
Ph: 0400 585 855
E: zoe.bradbury@butterfly.org.au
About Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. Butterfly changes lives by providing innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, prevention and early intervention programs, and by advocating for the needs of our community.
Editor and producers note:
Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media Guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders. Please include the following helpline message.
Help and Support
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:
- Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).
- Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
- For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14
