Support services for eating disorders

You don’t have to live with an eating disorder on your own. There are services that exist specifically to provide support for people living with eating disorders in each state and Australia-wide, including services for talking to someone right now.

This can help if:

  • you're living with an eating disorder

  • you’re looking for support for an eating disorder

  • you’re looking for support for a friend or family member.

Girl in denim jacket talking to counsellor

If you want to talk to someone right now

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and Lifeline (13 11 14) have trained counsellors available 24/7 if you want to contact someone immediately.

National services

The Butterfly Foundation

Butterfly’s National Support Line, 1800 ED HOPE, provides confidential support for:

  • people with eating disorders

  • people with body image issues

  • family members

  • friends

  • anyone with a question about eating disorders or negative body image.

The Butterfly Foundation’s counsellors are professionally trained, compassionate and experienced in discussing eating disorders. Butterfly provides personalised coping strategies and support, and information to help increase your understanding of your, or your loved one’s, illness. They also offer guidance on treatment options and connections with other services and specialists.

Website: thebutterflyfoundation.org.au Support services (available Monday–Friday): Telephone: 1800 33 4673 (8 am – 9 pm) Text-based chat via the website (8 am – 9 pm) or Email: support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au at any time.

National Eating Disorder Collaboration

The National Eating Disorder Collaboration is a great resource for up-to-date information and research on eating disorders. It also provides a list of state-by-state treatment services for inpatient, outpatient and community support programs in their ‘Services and Support Organisations’ section.

Website: www.nedc.com.au

Health at Every Size Australia

The Health at Every Size Australia directory provides listings of health practitioners around Australia who offer services consistent to the Health at Every Size principles. It lists a range of services, including psychologists, nutritionists and GPs.

Website: www.haesaustralia.org.au/find-a-provider

Victoria

Eating Disorders Victoria

Eating Disorders Victoria is a state-based source of support, information, community education and advocacy in Victoria for people with eating disorders and their families.

Website: www.eatingdisorders.org.au Support services (available Monday–Friday, 9.30 am – 5 pm): Telephone: 1300 550 236 Email: help@eatingdisorders.org.au

New South Wales

The Butterfly Foundation

As well as their free-to-call national Support Line, 1800 ED HOPE, The Butterfly Foundation also provides eating disorder recovery support groups, carer support groups and face-to-face low-cost counselling at Butterfly House in Crows Nest, Sydney.

Website: www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au Address: 103 Alexander Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065 Support services available Monday–Friday, 8 am – 9 pm AEST Telephone: 1800 33 4673 Email: support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

Queensland

Eating Disorders Queensland

Eating Disorders Queensland is a statewide, community-based not-for-profit organisation. They promote positive body image and prevention of eating issues. Supportive therapeutic options for individuals living with eating issues and their families and friends are also offered.

Website: www.eatingdisordersqueensland.org.au Address: 89 Sherwood Rd, Toowong, QLD 4066 Telephone: (07) 3844 6055 Email: You can get in contact through their online form here.

South Australia

Eating Disorders Association South Australia (EDASA)

EDASA provides information, workshops for community professionals, and support groups for people experiencing an eating disorder and for their carers in South Australia.

Address: Unley Annexe, PO Box 556, Unley SA 5061 Website: www.edasa.org.au Telephone: (08) 8212 3988 Email: contact@edasa.org.au

Centacare Catholic Family Services Adelaide

Through its PACE service, Centacare supports individuals living with panic, anxiety, obsessive compulsive and eating disorders, and those that support them.

Website: www.centacare.org.au Address: 45 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Telephone: (08) 8215 6700 Email: enquiries@centacare.org.au

Western Australia

Women’s Health Works

Women’s Health Works provides women with a range of education, information and support for eating disorders, including self-help groups for people experiencing an eating disorder.

Website: whfs.org.au Address:

  • Joondalup: Suite 6, Joondalup Lotteries House, 70 Davidson Terrace, Joondalup WA 6919

  • Northbridge: 227 Newcastle Street Northbridge WA 6006

Telephone: (08) 6330 5400 Email: info@whfs.org.au

Tasmania

The Butterfly Foundation

The Butterfly Foundation provides face-to-face support programs as well as support groups for people experiencing body image issues as well as their carers and friends in Hobart, Tasmania.

Website: www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au Telephone: 1800 33 4673 Email: support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

What can I do now?

  • Call the National Support Line for eating disorders, 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673), for free, confidential support, help and information.

  • Visit the National Eating Disorders Collaboration website to learn more about services available for eating disorders.

  • Find out more about treatments for eating disorders.

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