Butterfly Gives a Voice to Eating Disorder Sufferers and their Stories with Launch of National Podcast

Butterfly Foundation, is proud to launch the ‘Butterfly: Let’s Talk’ Podcast to increase awareness of eating disorders as serious mental illnesses and to tackle associated stigma. 

Butterfly Foundation CEO Kevin Barrow says the podcast will be an essential tool for Butterfly.

“Having open discussions about eating disorders is critical,” Mr Barrow said. “Eating disorders are still not very well understood as the serious mental health conditions that they are. We’re seeing with depression and anxiety that the world has come a long way over the last ten years. But with eating disorders, there is still quite a degree of stigma attached. We also know that the best way to break that stigma is to talk about it.”

Butterfly has collaborated with Tasmanian podcast production house, Ikin Media to produce the show and enlisted the support of Sam Ikin to host it.

Mr Ikin, who has personally been affected by an eating disorder, turned to Butterfly in the midst of his experience and is now using his platform as a broadcaster to help increase understanding of these serious mental illnesses.

“I’ve written about my experience before, but it’s not something I talk about very often,” he said. “So many people simply don’t believe it exists or they don’t believe someone who looks like me could be affected.

“Butterfly was there for me when I was struggling, and I’m thrilled to be able to work with this fantastic team on such a vital project. It’s affected every aspect of my life, and I can’t think of anything else in the world that I would like more than to be free from this disorder.

“It’s a privilege to be able to use my skills as a broadcaster and journalist to help increase understanding of these serious mental health issues. Hopefully, we can help reduce the stigma surrounding eating disorders and encourage anyone who’s affected to speak openly about their experiences,” Mr Ikin said.

“An open, healthy, national discussion; that’s what I’m hoping to start through this podcast.”

The first episode of the ‘Butterfly: Let’s Talk’ Podcast, which focuses on regional and remote eating disorder experiences, is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Deezer (or wherever you get your podcasts.)

For more information on the ‘Butterfly: Let’s Talk’ podcast head to: https://butterfly.org.au/get-involved/campaigns/butterfly-lets-talk-podcast/

About eating disorders

Eating disorders are complex and enduring, and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. At any one time, approximately 4% of the Australian population, or more than one million people, is suffering from an eating disorder. These serious mental illnesses have additional physical complications, and are attributed to risk factors such as genetic vulnerability, psychological issues and socio-cultural influences.

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Contact

Alex Cowen, Communications Manager, 0497 008 716 Alex.cowen@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 or support@butterfly.org.au
• Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14