Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Eating disorders
What can cause an eating disorder?

It’s unlikely that one single thing will lead to an eating disorder. There is often a combination of risk factors, including genetics, emotional factors and cultural influences.

Read more
Who gets eating disorders?

No matter your size, shape, age, abilities, gender identity, sexuality, cultural or linguistic background, economic status or location, anyone can experience an eating disorder.

Do you know someone at risk?

Approximately 9% of Australians will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime but it’s not possible to tell if a person has an eating disorder simply by their appearance.
Body image
What is body image?

Body image is the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs we have about our bodies and how we look, including our shape, size, weight, and the way our body functions for us.

Read more
Body image issues don’t discriminate.

There are many factors that can contribute to poor body image and body dissatisfaction. Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures.

Body image programs

Butterfly’s programs for young people, professionals and parents are evidence based and designed to provide practical strategies, skills and resources to support positive body image and healthy behaviours in young Australians.
Get support
Butterfly provides support, care, referrals and resources

Whether for you, a friend, a family member, a client, or anyone else that you care about, Butterfly is here to offer support.

Read more
Butterfly’s National Helpline

Our helpline is free and confidential, and our specialist counsellors offer non-judgmental support over the phone, by email and by online chat, seven days a week.

Search Butterfly's Referral Database

Find eating disorder professionals, services and treatment nearest to you, through our Referral Database, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health Professionals
Information, resources and referrals for your clients

Our Helpline and support services are not only for people impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, but also for clinicians and other health and education professionals.

Read more
Butterfly referral database

Butterfly's Referral Database provides a directory of professionals, screened for an understanding of eating disorders, so people Australia-wide can find appropriate care..

Medicare items for eating disorders

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders may be eligible for new Medicare rebates under the Eating Disorder Medicare Plan.
School & Youth Professionals
Programs for people working with young people

Butterfly offers presentations, resources and workshops to teachers, professionals, young people and parents on the risk and protective factors for body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and eating disorders.

Read more
Body Kind Schools

Support young people’s body image by joining Butterfly’s annual free schools awareness initiative. Finding ways to feel positive about your body can be challenging but we can all try to be kinder.

Butterfly Body Bright

A new whole of school program to promote positive body image and healthy attitudes and behaviours towards the body, eating, and physical activity in primary school-aged children.
Who we are
About Butterfly

Butterfly changes lives by providing support services, treatment and resources, delivering prevention and early intervention programs and advocating for the needs of those with eating disorders and body image issues.

Read more
A Voice for Change

As the voice of lived experience, Butterfly advocates on behalf of people impacted by negative body image, eating disorders, and those who support and care for them.

Our Partners and Supporters

Butterfly is extremely grateful for the passion and commitment of our dedicated corporate and community partners.
Get involved
Ways to get involved

There are many different ways you can get involved and help bring about positive change for those experiencing eating disorders and negative body image. You are a vital part of the solution.

Read more
Our Impact

Established nearly 20 years, Butterfly’s multi-skilled team continue to make a significant impact within the mental health sector.

Share Your Story

Every experience of an eating disorder is unique. Sharing stories from personal experience allows for reflection, understanding and connection.

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Home

Blog

A space for sharing all things body image and eating disorders related. All blog entries are written by our staff, those with a lived experience and professionals.

Why the thin ideal & ‘heroin chic’ cannot make a comeback

There has been significant noise in the media about a resurrection of the thin ideal, sometimes labelled “heroin chic”. The return and praise of this movement only highlights how insidious and prolific diet culture and fatphobia continues to be in our society, and can result in body dissatisfaction.

How can early intervention help eating disorder recovery?

The 2022 theme for Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness week is 'Know the signs, and act early'. We asked our lived experience network, the Butterfly Collective, how early intervention could have stopped their eating disorders from developing and thriving, and how it could make recovery more possible.

Six things your loved one may want you to know about eating disorders and recovery

"My eating disorder was my best friend, professional, significant other and parent, but I only managed to beat it with the help from all the above. I am fully recovered because I worked hard and because my hard work was supported by the incredible people in my world." Emma shares what your loved one might want you to know about eating disorders and recovery.

What I wish people knew about eating disorders

For Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week (BIEDAW), social worker Lauren shares her lived experience and why she wishes people could realise eating disorders aren’t a choice or about vanity.

Mahalia Handley: How PCOS impacted my body image

54% of people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) will also experience body image concerns and are up to 60% more likely to develop an eating disorder. In light of World PCOS Day on September 1, Maori/Irish-Australian model Mahalia Handley shares her lived experience of PCOS, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and disordered eating.

How parents can act early and support a positive body image

The home and family environment, and more specifically the messages received around body image, healthy eating and physical activity, is one of the most significant influences on a child’s developing self-esteem and body image. Here's how to recognise the signs and act early.

Diet culture 101: What is it and what can we do about it?

Diet culture is receiving more attention on mainstream and social media platforms, but what does it actually mean? In this article, University of Melbourne researchers Dr Natalie Jovanovski and Tess Jaeger explore what diet culture is and how we can all resist it in our everyday lives.

What should I do if I think my partner has an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are serious psychological and physical illnesses that can be all consuming. If you think your partner is engaging in disordered eating behaviours, or has an eating disorder, it can be a confusing, scary and frustrating time. Butterfly’s team of experts have put this guide together to help you approach your partner and ultimately support them through their recovery.

Eating disorders in the workplace

With approximately one in five Australian workers experiencing a mental illness at any one time, there’s a chance someone in your workplace might be experiencing an eating disorder. From creating a Body Kind workplace, to changing your language around food, dieting and bodies, here are our top tips for managing eating disorders in the workplace.

Why I want to make theatre about my journey with Disordered Eating

"During [acting training], I learned that my body and the way it looks are going to have a direct impact on how successful I am going to be. I am also told in front of a panel of my teachers that my weight holds me back." Read how Jasmine is reducing stigma, spreading awareness and creating conversations by making theatre out of her experience in the arts industry and with disordered eating.

The Next 20: Where do we go from here?

Since inception in 2002, , Butterfly has continuously advocated for the needs and wellbeing of those living with eating disorders and body image concerns, as well as amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.

Creating a positive body image environment for males

In lights of Men’s Health Week (13th-19th June), we’re unpacking how to build healthy environments for men and boys, specifically, creating a positive body image environment. With body dissatisfaction and eating disorders increasing, it's never been more important.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
…
15

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.