endED Butterfly House, Australia’s first national residential eating disorder treatment facility, announced for the Sunshine Coast
Friday 13th July– Butterfly Foundation and endED applaud today’s announcement by Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt and Andrew Wallace MP of $1.5 million funding to support the development of Australia’s first national residential treatment facility for eating disorders. This facility will be located on the Sunshine coast and called endED Butterfly House.
A Sunshine Coast property was acquired jointly this week by Butterfly Foundation and endED. Today’s Government support, together with ongoing contributions from the local community, local government and philanthropy, will be critical in establishing endED Butterfly House.
Butterfly Foundation CEO, Christine Morgan congratulates Minister Hunt for his leadership and commitment to deliver this support needed for this long-awaited innovative treatment option for eating disorders.
“This is a significant advancement in establishing an evidence-based eating disorder treatment option in a residential setting. It is the first of its kind in Australia and a model that we are hoping will make a significant contribution to improving treatment options for Australians with these potentially fatal illnesses. endED Butterfly House will provide intensive treatment in a warm and welcoming environment encouraging a person-centred approach.”
“Butterfly Foundation welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with endED, the Sunshine Coast community and local hospital and health services,” said Ms Morgan.
“As the Australian peak for those with a lived experience of an eating disorder, we understand from consumers and carers how important it is to provide them with an intensive holistic option for treatment, recovery and ongoing support.”
endED Co-Founder, Mark Forbes has been a key driver in bringing community, Government and sector experts together to support Sunshine Coast as a location for this innovative development.
“I am proud that the Sunshine Coast community, one that aims to be recognised as a ‘health and wellbeing region’ is playing a pivotal role in providing excellence in innovation and treatment. At a time when an individual and their family needs to focus on treatment, they have, in the past, been subject to short term solutions that often come hand in hand with financial pressure and isolation from community and health services.
As a parent who previously had to look outside Australia for treatment, endED Butterfly House will offer safe haven for people struggling with eating disorders in this country.”
Having recovered from an eating disorder, Millie Thomas welcomes the announcement and applauds the efforts of Butterfly Foundation, endED and the Australian Government to make this happen.
“I firmly believe the lack of residential treatment options close to home prolonged my battle. I know from my 15 year struggle to find the right treatment for my eating disorder that establishment of endED Butterfly House will be life changing for people with eating disorders.”
Butterfly Foundation and endED thanks the Australian Government for their continued support in improving access to treatment for eating disorders. We further acknowledge all those who have worked with us to reach this pivotal point in the establishment of endED Butterfly House, Australia’s first national residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Ongoing support from philanthropy, business and community is essential in making this initiative a reality.
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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
For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14
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How can I register my interest or find out more as someone experiencing an eating disorder, a parent or a health professional?
endED Butterfly House is currently in the planning and design phase. As the project progresses, information will be made available through Butterfly Foundation’s website.
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FEDERAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Butterfly encourages the media to include the support line details above in all media coverage of this story and refer to the to the Mindframe Guidelines for reporting of suicide and eating disorders.
Media Contact:
Danielle Cuthbert – The Butterfly Foundation
0421 978 940 | danielle.cuthbert@thebutterflyufoundation.org.au
Facebook – thebutterflyfoundation
Twitter – @BFoundation
