Butterfly Foundation welcomes funding announcements for National Eating Disorder Helpline
Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s national charity for all people in Australia impacted by eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, welcomes the Federal Government investment to support Australians living with eating disorders through an investment of $9.2 million for the Butterfly National Helpline over three years.
Each year, more than 20,000 people in Australia contact the Butterfly National Helpline,1800 ED HOPE, which provides free phone, email and web support and referral for individuals experiencing an eating disorder, their family and friends, and with the professionals who support them such as psychologists, GPs and teachers.
Across our Helpline, prevention and education services, and health promotion campaigns, each year Butterfly reaches more than 300,000 children and millions of adults.
Butterfly CEO Dr Jim Hungerford said the funding would help support Butterfly to continue to support the tens of thousands of people who reach out to our Helpline every year.
“4.4 million Australians, one in six of us, self-identify as having symptoms of an eating disorder,” Dr Hungerford said.
“These experiences can affect people from all walks of life. The ‘Cost of Appearance Ideals’ report launched today shows that appearance-based discrimination is particularly prevalent among the age cohort of 15-17 year-olds, especially in females, which has devasting implications on both mental and physical health
“This Helpline funding is an important first step and we will continue to advocate to all Parliamentarians to raise awareness for what is needed to adequately support Australians living with eating disorders and all those who support them.”
“We thank the Commonwealth Government for their support and commitment to support us and the vital work we do.”
Assistant Minister McBride said Butterfly’s work in digital mental health services will reduce barriers such as stigma, geography, wait times and cost. “Eating disorders have some of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness and many Australians go undiagnosed,” she said.
“The Butterfly National Helpline means there are now more ways for people with an eating disorder to get the professional and compassionate care they need in a way that suits their personal needs and preferences.”
Lived experience advocate and member of the Cost of Appearance Ideals Lived Experience Consultation Group Evie Gardiner emphasised the importance of increased awareness and funding and said, “People who are impacted by eating disorders, body dissatisfaction and weight-based discrimination need more support.
By shedding light on these often-overlooked experiences, we can help drive awareness and deepen understanding of the wide-reaching consequences of appearance ideals and appearance-based discrimination, to work towards creating an Australia where everybody can thrive, regardless of what they look like or how much they weigh.”
For more information go to https://butterfly.org.au/
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact Butterfly’s National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or support@butterfly.org.au
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Media Contact:
Alexandra La Sala, Think HQ PR Account Director
Ph: 0466 258 343
E: alexandra.lasala@think-hq.com.au
Zoe Bradbury – Communications Specialist
Ph: 0400 585 855
E: zoe.bradbury@butterfly.org.au
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 butterfly.org.au to chat online or email
- Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
- For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14
