Butterfly Foundation has launched a campaign to raise funds and set the agenda for the next 20 years of treatment and prevention of eating disorders and body image issues in Australia.
The national charity for Australians affected by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
In those 20 years it has grown to be the largest national charity for eating disorders and body image issues.
Eating disorders can affect anyone with more than one million Australians from all walks of life every year as well as their families and carers impacted.
Butterfly highlights that its efforts in advocacy, community education, early intervention, prevention and clinical services have helped to significantly change the conversation and understanding around eating disorders, establishing them as serious and complex mental illnesses, rather than a lifestyle choice.
“However, not only do misconceptions and stigma continue to create barriers to diagnosis and care, but COVID has had a huge impact on mental health in Australia. There has been an unprecedented increase in eating disorders and our work is as crucial as ever,” it says.
“There is still so much more that needs to be done and we can’t do it without you or the support of our community.
“Building on recent government investment, and in line with the broader context of mental health reform, we are proposing four actions to deliver better health outcomes for the community we serve in The Next 20,”
The four actions are:
- A national inquiry into body image
- Investment into eating disorder prevention services
- Reduction of stigma and increase in help-seeking
- Investment into improved eating disorder treatment and support services
For more details, see The Next 20.
