Minister Hunt breaks ground at endED Butterfly House – Australia’s first community residential eating disorder treatment facility
Australian Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt has turned the first sod of earth at endED Butterfly House – Australia’s first community-based residential eating disorder facility. This significant moment signposts the culmination of efforts by the Federal Government, Butterfly and endED to deliver holistic, multi-disciplinary residential care to Australians within Australia.
Following Minister Hunt’s $1.5 million contribution to building the facility, and an additional $4.5 million pledge to go towards operational costs over the three years of the pilot program, the first of its kind facility is expected to open towards the end of 2020. The facility will initially operate for three years, while Butterfly collates and builds the evidence to demonstrate best practice and roll out this model of care across Australia.
Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said on the day: “Creating endED Butterfly House will help people on the road to recovery. A million Australians have some form of an eating disorder and that can be agonising and as we know in some cases can have the highest mortality rate of mental health conditions.”
“With the work that we started together we will change the way eating disorders are treated. What you have done here will save more than one life. If you save just one life, that would have justified everything, but we will do so much more than that.”
Butterfly Foundation Board Chair, David Murray stressed the impact that such a facility will have on Australians living with this serious mental illness.
“Up until now there has not been an option for Australians to attend a residential, community setting like the one we are building as endED Butterfly House. The impact not just on the individuals who attend, but on the broader Australian community, will be huge. With the further commitment from the Federal Government for residential facilities for eating disorders across the country, endED Butterfly House will provide a critical opportunity to further prove the success of this holistic approach to treatment and recovery.”
endED Co-Founder, Mark Forbes has been a leading driver in making Australia’s first community-based residential facility for eating disorders a reality.
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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Editor and Producers noted: 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.
HELP AND SUPPORT
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or support@butterfly.org.au
For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14
MEDIA CONTACT
Alex Cowen – Communications Manager, Butterfly Foundation | 0497 008 716 | alex.cowen@butterfly.org.au
